Blackheath U13B suffered two “no-shows” on Tuesday evening but pulled off a remarkable win with only 9 players. At one stage during the opposition innings an injury in the field reduced the team to only 8-men, but as has been the case in most fixtures this season, we got on with it and still managed to find a way to win the match.

As we go into the last set of fixtures, we are now in a good position for a top four finish, which will be an excellent achievement for a B team playing in a league which includes a number of A teams.

MATCH REPORT: Tues 22nd June 2010 – BLACKHEATH U13B bt BEXLEYHEATH U13 by 8 wkts 

Bexleyheath U13 won the toss and batted first on an excellent Rectory Field pitch, against 9-man Blackheath U13B suffering from two “no shows”.

The difficulties of filling huge gaps in the field were overcome to start with during excellent opening spells from Kamrul (4-1-9-1), Nahid (1-30) & Teddy Mooney(4-0-11-2), which reduced Bexleyheath to 19 for 4. However the strength of the opposition batting was in the middle order and a fifth wicket partnership of 92 between three players exposed the gaps in the field and they took their score to 111-5, before some good death bowling from Kier Burrows (1-16), Hasan Ahmed (2-0-8-0), Max Wyman (3-0-8-0) & Teddy Mooney, & some tidy keeping from Hugo, kept the score to a par 118 for 6 from the allotted 24 overs.

The reply from Blackheath was sensational. While expecting to have to bat down to the last man at number 9 to stay in the contest, it was a remarkable achievement to use only 5 batsmen and lose only 2 wickets to reach the target inside the distance. Mahdi (6) & Kamrul (13) got us to 42-2, before a magnificent third wicket partnership involving Jamil (Retired 26no), Nahid (24no) & Teddy Mooney (28no) got us home with 5.1 overs to spare.

Man-of-the-match: Teddy Mooney, 28no & 4-0-11-2. His first match as captain & he also hit the winning!

U13B TEAM SELECTION

With 11 league fixtures to fulfil, the aim is to get every player 8 or 9 matches, which means all members of the squad will miss at least one fixture. It is therefore important that you inform me of forthcoming school journeys, school cricket matches or other absences, as soon as possible, to enable me to factor them into team selection. The teams for each fixture are selected in blocks of 3 matches, for parents to see advance dates and the selection pattern, and to allay fears of players not getting an allocation of matches. This also helps everyone to feel involved.

For Year 7 players, also remember that the U12 cup competition will provide more fixtures. There is also a possibility that 13B players may be asked to play the odd A team match during the season.

Selection for fixtures 8, 9 & 10 are listed as follows:

Players named 12^th to 15^th man are on stand-by. Parents will be contacted by text to confirm their call-up into the team when necessary. It is also important that you inform me as soon as possible if your child is unavailable to play, to allow early notice for call-up players (we were a player short in two matches last season, something I’d like to avoid). My contact number is 07742 598750.

NORTH KENT JUNIOR LEAGUE U13 DIVISION 2 TABLE (as at 25/6/10)

– Thurs 1st July 2010 - Away v Gravesend U13A @ Bat & Ball Ground, Wrotham Road, Gravesend, Kent. Start @ 5-30pm (24 over match).

Warm up at 5-15pm.

Mick Wyman

U13B