U11 – Final Match of the Season

By Henry Labram

Howzat?

This really was a very exciting cricket match…….International? No! County? No! It was the final match of the boys’ Hampshire East League Under 11 and 8-a-side, our local E&MWCC Juniors’ team vs Andover, played at Easton at 6.30pm on Monday 18th July.

These boys are knowledgeable and experienced players. Both teams were energetic, focused on their game and appeared professional.

Andover opened the batting. The field was dry, the grass short and the ground hard. The ball ran easily towards the boundary. With only 8 players fielding it was challenging for Easton to stop Andover scoring quickly. Easton was taking very few wickets and after their 16 overs, Andover had knocked up 119 runs by 8.45 pm. To the small group of Easton supporters and parents, it seemed at this point that their team had a big run chase ahead of them.

I was texting friends who could not be there…..

“After 8 overs Easton are halfway there….”

“We need 17 off 3 overs….”

“7 runs off 12 balls to win”

“2 off 6 now”

“Easton lost a wicket. 2 off 4”

“Another wicket gone. 2 off 3”

A no-ball which in the rules counts for 2 runs.

“We’ve won”.

Applause, shouts of celebration and relief, everybody smiling.

Well done the Easton boys!