U11A v Pownall Hall Won by 180 runs

S.Anselm’s 217-5 (25 overs, limited overs) Oliver R 100*   Pownall Hall 37 all out (22 overs)   S.Anselm’s won by 180 runs

A first century for Oliver R during which he played the full repertoire of shots, including a number of very impressive on drives, was the highlight of the third largest ever S.Anselm’s U11 win. (A victory over Barlborough Hall in 1999 was by 227 runs and we beat Derby Grammar in 2001 by 205 runs). Indeed, the second highest score in the match from the other 18 batsmen who had a chance was just 17. Oliver R’s century was the 15^th century scored by a S.Anselm’s U11 batsman in my 16 years taking the team (today was my 200^th match i/c) and the first century for four years. Pownall were less experienced than usual and with the progress we’ve made in the last month this was, in some ways, an unfair stage of term to play them. If it had been in April, with our bowlers spraying the ball about, as we were, we’d have won by 80 runs or so, a confidence building opener. As it was, a month into term, our bowling was reliable and Pownall had little chance. Theo H back into an opening berth, again lasted for over half an hour though Oliver R ‘farmed’ much of the bowling. Oliver R missed the two matches against Wellow and Derby Grammar ... all his innings so far this term have been against stronger opposition than ourselves and he has been in a defensive frame of mind. At last today you were able to be in charge and there were shots played all around the ground. I was particularly impressed with balls on leg stump which initially looked short and to be played with a pull shot, only for the ball to dip at the last moment and you to drive them through mid on for four. The running between the wickets was good and Alex W arrived to add 77 runs in just 8.2 overs. There were some splendid shots through mid-wicket for four. Leddy, however, returned for a very impressive second spell and, following Ollie’s retirement, the wickets started to fall. He and the solid batsman Curtis would certainly command places in our team. Elliot T showed much inventiveness in playing a very positive innings, as did Jonah G who again looked the part, but needed to bat for longer whilst Lewis H, ever improving confidence-wise struck four boundaries from his first four balls as we headed for the team photograph after 25 overs! Pownall Hall were never in the hunt and the wickets were shared. Leddy struck a couple of impressive boundaries and Curtis showed a straight bat but the victory was always assured against an inexperienced team. Harvey W and Edward S extracted much turn from the dry wearing pitch – we’ll have to speak to Mr.Noton, the Head Groundsman, about future wickets! Isaac S took the best catch of the match to dismiss Leddy who’d struck a couple of wonderful boundaries and the end was high for Pownall. Oliver R finally struck twice in his 4^th over, Charlie S took a wicket in an over which contained four wides and Edward S finished proceedings. This was a very pleasing win for our U11 team, though one must remember that the opposition were inexperienced this year. This fixture, played in April, would’ve been somewhat closer, but we were on top through this game. Congratulations to Oliver R for his performance – a day he’ll never forget – and we look forward to the Sunday fixture. We must maintain our improvement then and beyond ...