Incredible Cup Semi Sees U13's Bow Out

The Badger Under 13's were the first of the Junior sides to play their District Cup Semi Finals, as we travelled to Barkby United.

Once again due to commitments the Badgers could only field a side of 10 players but this really didn't matter as despite the result they put in a superb performance.

Matt North won the toss as chose to field first and one of the more picturesque grounds that we have visited.

Some good tight bowling from the Badger saw the pressure build and with the score on 17 we had our first wicket with Sam Towers running out the Barkby captain for 8.

With the score then on 36, Matt North bowled the number 3 and then in the next over Jacob Taylor picked up the wicket of the number 4 with a superb catch from a skying ball by Blaine Grewcock.

A partnership though then started to build and it wasn't until the other Barkby opener retired on 25 that we picked up another wicket as Lewis Wales stumped the number 5 off the bowling of Ben Gill with the score on 58.

Once again another partnership built until the closing overs when Finn Manners bowled the number 7, followed by Sam Towers bowling the number 8.

Then just 2 runs later a good piece of fielding from Jacob Taylor saw the number 9 run out and then another good piece of glove work from Lewis Wales saw the number 6 stumped, giving Sam Towers his second wicket.

Finally Barkby finished on 99 for 8 from 20 overs.

Once again after a quick turnaround Thrumpton set about chasing down a three figure score.

Lewis Wales and Jacob Taylor opened the batting and Lewis got us off to a flyer and was soon retiring not out on 26.

With the score on 42 Jacob Taylor was unfortunately out for just 8 but Matt North and Finn Manners then put on a nice little partnership to move the score onto 68.

Unfortunately though Finn and Matt were both out in quick succession. Wickets then kept tumbling in regular clumps with Blaine Grewcock and Joe Bailey both out with the score on 71.

This was then followed by Sam Towers and George Mayell with the score on 83 and 85 respectively.

It was now over to Ben Gill and Jamie Hill to try and get us to our target. Ben played a couple of lovely shots but with the score on 96, Ben was run out for and excellent knock of 12.

That wicket brought in Lewis Wales back to the crease with just 4 needed from 5 ball. Some good bowling however restricted Lewis's shots but with 2 balls left he managed to hit one back over the bowler's head to get 2 runs.

With 1 ball remaining the scorer on 98 for 8 the coaches and scorers were wondering what the tiebreak would be should 1 run be scored.

The final delivery however was a fantastic piece of bowling as Lewis was bowled out by an inswinging yorker to be out for 28 meaning that Thrumpton had lost by just 1 run.

Everyone then tried to catch their breath with what was a fantastic game of cricket, despite the result the Badgers can hold their heads high as they were truly fantastic.

We now move on and concentrate on league action and who knows we might get some revenge in the league over Barkby, we will see.