1st XI v Westbourne Won by 5 wickets

Westbourne  125-7 (25 overs)  S. Anselm's 126-5 (21 overs) 

What a difference a week makes, with the cricket 1^{s t} XI struggling for form they recorded their first win in four matches at Home to Westbourne today. With one boy making his first appearance for the 1^stXI and one boy only making his second appearance an inexperienced side took to the field. Having lost the toss and having to field first, S.Anselm’s bowling and fielding was not up to scratch with some loose bowling being severely punished by the Westbourne batsmen. Max H was a little wayward initially, but David C was bowling steadily at the other end and made the initial breakthrough with two wickets, Jack H had a direct hit to perform a run out. James B and Luke T bowled steadily with Luke taking a wicket, however the Westbourne total was mounting and they were scoring freely. Freddie H and Jack H bowled accurately and reduced the scoring rate with Jack picking up a couple of wickets. The Westbourne innings came to a close and they had reached 125-7 from their allotted 25 overs.

The pitch was not easy to bat on and whilst the total S.Anselm’s were chasing was not large they would have to work hard to record a victory. The innings got off to a good start with James B and Jack M-M hitting the bad balls for four and running well between the wickets, James then played all around a full toss to depart for 13. This brought Rufus L to the wicket to join Jack, both of whom played with great determination. Rufus hit the ball very hard and was particularly severe on any loose deliveries, whilst Jack was rotating the strike well and nudging singles to keep the scoreboard moving. Jack was next to depart for 12, Max H departed without scoring. The pressure was now on and Charlie H , on debut, joined Rufus. They both played some excellent shots and ran very well between the wickets, before Charlie departed for 19. It was a shame Rufus departed shortly afterwards holing out to a very wide delivery for a well made score of 40. There then followed some lusty blows by Charles B 28 not out and Jack H 6 not out, the total was reached for the loss of only 5 wickets with 4 overs still remaining. This was a fine victory by 5 wickets and all 11 players contributed fully to this win with excellent team spirit and a real determination to succeed.