2009 Season Colts U16 Match Reports

4th May

Hainault & Clayhall - 114 all out
Brentwood - 115 for 2 off 23 overs
Brentwood won by 8 wickets

Report by Julie Welham

Brentwood began their Matchplay season at home playing host to Hainault and Clayhall. Brentwood won the toss and put Hainult in to bat in the light drizzle.

Hainault's openers (Akram and Nawaz) were unable to get going as the Brentwood bowlers made an early breakthrough. Nawaz fell first, bowled by Jack Hoy without troubling the scorers followed by the potentially dangerous Akram who was caught by Jack Greenwood, off Jamie Dawes for just 2. The next pair settled things down a little and put on a slow but steady 30 runs before the loss of Shafique who fell LBW, bowled Prem Pithia for 13 runs. This brought Mahmood to the crease who top scored with 46 eventually caught by Ben Sach, bowled by the young U13 leg spinner, Dougie Maxwell. Wickets fell steadily throughout the Hainult innings with an injured Ronnie Saunders having to switch to spin rather than seam but taking 4 wickets for 20 runs off his 8 overs and the young Maxwell finishing things off by taking the wicket of Nasim, caught Greenwood with Hainault on 114.

Brentwood came to the crease knowing the target was easily achievable so long as they batted steadily and sensibly. However both openers fell cheaply - Greenwood (0) caught behind and Saunders (4) caught at short cover leaving Brentwood on just 16 for 2. Elliott Skinner and Sach had the task of settling things down. They both batted themselves in playing sensible shots and punishing the bad balls. They saw the innings through in just 23 overs Sach ending on 56 NO, Skinner on 35 NO.

Overall a very strong team performance by the Brentwood team and a great start to the Matchplay season.

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10th May

Brentwood - 194 all out off 39 overs
Fives & Heronians - 134 all out off 32 overs
Brentwood won by 60 runs

Report by Julie Welham

Fives and Heronians played host to Brentwood on the first really sunny day of the season so far. Both teams struggled to get U16s available due to a combination of Essex commitments and the GCSE season. Consequently each had the opportunity to offer some of their younger up and coming members the chance to play in this prestigious competition.

Brentwood won the toss and elected to bat (not least as at 1pm Brentwood were still three players short as they were completing their morning match commitments in the younger leagues!).

Brentwood's openers (Skipper James Welham and Matt Thorpe-Apps) faced the quick opening pair of Jack Jerrom and Greg Summers. Welham was fortunate not to be sent back early in his innings when he was dropped twice and Thorpe-Apps (4) fell cheaply to a good ball from Summers in the 6th over with the score on 20. He was replaced by Ben Sach (5) who also returned to the pavilion quickly having been caught off the bowling of Jerrom leaving Brentwood on 32 for 2. This brought Billy Hull to the crease who with Welham built an excellent partnership of 96 until Welham was caught off the bowling of the returned Jerrom on 75. Tom Harries wasted no time in adding to the runs and Hull was eventually caught and bowled by Chapman just 4 runs short of his half century. The loss of Harries (15) brought the runs to a virtual stop with Brentwood moving from 186 for 5 to 194 all out (Sam Dawes (9), Henry Nation (6)). While this was a reasonably challenging target to set, the team were probably disappointed not to have reached over 200 given the number of wickets in hand at 186 runs.

The first Fives wicket fell quickly in the 2nd over when Thorpe-Apps dismissed Lloyd (1) caught behind by wicket keeper Harries. Welham bowled Jerrom (12) in the 9th over just as Jerrom was settling in. Skipper Campbell was dismissed for 27 caught Thorpe-Apps, bowled Sach. Hull bowled economically at the other end piling the pressure onto Fives who now needed to increase their run rate. Brentwood skipper took the risk of introducing the young U13 leg spinner Dougie Maxwell at a time when Fives needed to score play some big shots and when they were beginning to show signs of recovery. The risk paid off in spades as while Dawes bowled the top scorer (Hall on 29) Maxwell took 4 wickets off his 6 overs for 31 runs leaving the Fives lower order in disarray. The innings ending with a excellent run out.

Given the Matchplay inexperience in the side the Brentwood team can be proud of their performance and for winning a match which on paper should have gone to Fives. There are still plenty of things to work on - not least their catching but the signs are very promising for the future.

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17th May

Brentwood - 159-9 off 40 overs
Havering-atte-Bower - 90 all out off 27.1 overs
Brentwood won by 69 runs

Report by Julie Welham

Brentwood played host to Havering-Atte-Bower on a day when perhaps all but the most hardy would have abandoned the game and gone home to warm up and dry out. After a couple of hours of heavy rain the outfield was sodden but a delayed start was agreed when blue sky appeared and the afternoon forecast looked a little more promising.

There were no U16s in the Brentwood side and a combination of other reasons meant that for many of the side this was their Matchplay debut. Brentwood won the toss and elected to bat hoping for a drier ball later for the spinners to do their damage.

Brentwood's openers (Skipper James Welham and Elliott Skinner) faced the openers, Winder and Hurley, with confidence until the fifth over when Welham (17) was caught behind with the score on 27. Ben Sach joined Skinner and once again formed what looked a comfortable partnership until Sach (4) was out LBW in the 10th over with the score on 45. Edward Hornby added 14 to the score before being bowled. Skinner finally fell in the 30th over with the score on 127 having scored a solid 59. Bowler was the pick of the remaining batsmen scoring 26 before being caught. Brentwood just about managed to bat out their 40 overs with 9 wickets down ending on 159.

Having bowled their previous two opponents out with reasonably low scores Brentwood had every reason to be confident but knew that the score was very achievable by an older and potentially more experienced side than them. However the second over was to prove to be the decisive over of the game - Sach in explosive form taking a superb hat trick - first bowling opener Winder, second dismissing Skipper Houghton, caught behind by wicket keeper Skinner and third trapping Gentle, LBW.

This left Havering in disarray on 6 for 3. No more wickets fell to the opening bowlers but the runs were contained leaving the score on just 21 for 3 off 8 overs. Brentwood skipper then brought the leg spin duo, youngsters Bowler and Dougie Maxwell to the fore. Bowler removed the remaining opener, Hurley (4), LBW in his first over and Skinner pulled off a great stumping off Maxwell. Bowler and Maxwell both added two more to their haul with Skinner getting another stumping this time off Bowler.

The youngsters brought the score to just 57 for 9 at the end of the 18th over but Havering were not going to give up without a fight and their last pair, Walker and Lavender, put on the most comfortable partnership of the innings taking the score to 90 before Sach completed his 4 wicket haul in the 28th over.

This was another superb bowling performance by Brentwood which has largely been the winning factor in all of the matches so far. There is strength in the batting line up though which so far has not played to its potential. Next week's opponents, Bishops Stortford is likely to need both our batsmen and our bowlers to perform to their full potential.

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25th May

Brentwood 149 all out off 35.4 overs
Bishops Stortford 68 all out off 25.2 overs
Brentwood won by 81 runs

Report by Julie Welham

Brentwood visited Bishops Stortford to play the only non Essex side in the ECCB Matchplay competition. The weather forecast would have had us believe that the match had no chance of completion but Brentwood wanted to keep their 100% record in the 2009 Matchplay. Brentwood won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that, while on a huge slope looked a good batting track.

Brentwood opened in emphatic style with skipper Ronnie Saunders and Elliott Skinner scoring runs freely from the outset off the opening bowling attack, Hankss and Bull, reaching 55 by the end of their spell. Runs slowed a little with the next pair, Ramsden and Ahmed until a miscommunication in the middle resulted in the run out of Skinner (30) in the 15th over - 65 for 1. Then Brentwood reverted to type with batsmen giving up their wickets far too cheaply. Welham (0), LBW, Sach (2), caught Kightley off Ahmed, were the first to go which brought Jack Greenwood to the crease. Greenwood played a strong supporting role to Saunders who was beginning to open up and having reached his 50 he quickly moved on to 71 with 4 boundaries on the trot only to be caught next ball. Jamie Dawes joined Greenwood for a lively few overs (perhaps they thought it was a 30 over game!) pushing the score onto 112 before Dawes (12) was caught, Williams off Bull, and Greenwood (7) was trapped LBW. The team managed to scrape to 149 with Matt Thorpe-Apps (7), and youngsters Ryan Wells (4) and Dougie Maxwell (6) trying but just failing to take the score beyond the 150 mark

Once again Brentwood were going to have to hope that their bowling attack delivered - and that the weather did not close in before a result could be called. The openers Welham and Sach set about the task in hand both in keeping the runs down and in taking wickets - Sach ending his spell of 4 overs for just 9 runs and 2 wickets - Cattell (9), caught Saunders and Ramsden (6), LBW and Welham, 9 runs and 1 wicket - McGran (0) bowled.

Brentwood skipper then brought on the spin attack - himself and Maxwell. Saunders saw off Bull (0) in his first over, caught Dawes and Maxwell continued the theme with three wickets - Farrelly (0) caught Sach and Kightley trapped LBW - 2 in 2 balls and then Williams (5) caught Dawes. . The crucial 20 over stage had now been reached which meant that come what may a result would be returned and Brentwood had Stortford on the rack - 7 wickets down and on 56 runs - 20 short of where they needed to be. Saunders chose to replace Maxwell with the in form Sach and the last wickets then fell quickly - Saunders bowling Ahmed (0) and Sach taking two more - Roach (8), caught Thorpe-Apps and Hankss (0), caught Harry Levy.

Once again Brentwood did not bow to the pressure and bowled and fielded superbly and they are now in a commanding position in their group - the only team with four wins our of four. There is now a couple of weeks rest before we meet our next opponents - Benfleet - on 14th June

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14th June

Brentwood 132 all out off 29 overs
Benfllet 133-8 off 36.4 overs
Benfleet won by 2 wickets

Report by Julie Welham

Brentwood arrived at Benfleet knowing that they needed to keep their winning form. The track was green but at first glance looked reasonable. Brentwood lost the toss and were put in to bat.

The innings got off to the worst possible start with Elliott Skinner out first ball, bowled Masson, the ball having stayed low. Ben Sach followed, trapped LBW by Goringe - the 2nd of 6 ducks of the innings having also not reacted well to the low bounce. Despite advice that strong front foot play was needed to counter the bounce batsmen fell remarkable quickly with all but Saunders failing to reach double figures - Dutton (8) bowled Masson, Thorpe-Apps (3) run out and Moorti (3) bowled Acraman, caught Smith.

Saunders played a superb innings, adjusting to the conditions and playing a patient but effective innings. He was unlucky to be caught (Acraman, bowled Zamait) on 71. Brentwood finally caved in during the 30th over which given the second highest scorer was extras on 43 was disappointing as a few overs of more defensive play may well have brought 20 to 30 more overs to the score. A final score of 132 left the team knowing not only that they should have scored more but that they had left Benfleet feeling that they had the upper hand

Brentwood have relied on their bowling attack too often in this series and in this match it was not able to deliver the goods given the low target. Sach and Saunders opened (Saunders bowling seam). The Benfleet batsmen were heavily constrained and after 5 overs only 7 runs had been scored. The first wicket fell in the 8th when Saunders caught and bowled Zamait (7) and Sach saw off his replacement, Clifford (4) caught Edward Hornby in the next over. Prem Pithia and Billy Hull took over the bowling and brought more wickets - Masson (10), bowled Hull, Hudson (0), bowled Pithia. Thorpe-Apps got in on the act removing remaining opener, Bridge (24) caught Skinner.

Brentwood looked to be gaining the upper hand with Benfleet not able to get more than 2 or 3 runs an over and wickets falling reasonably regularly. One good over for Benfleet though gave the confidence to push ahead when Sam Dawes was unable to find his form and was knocked for 16 off the over. While wickets continued to fall with Hull, Sach and Pithia all adding another one apiece to their haul it was not enough to avoid the loss and Benfleet were able to dig in and see themselves to the target.

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28th June

Saffron Walden 110 all out off 34.3 overs
Brentwood 111-1 off 13.2 overs
Brentwood won by 9 wickets

Report by Julie Welham

Brentwood faced the long drive to Saffron Walden knowing that they had to get back into winnings ways after their loss to Benfleet in the previous match. The track and outfield looked in good condition despite the rain of Saturday. Saffron Walden won the toss and elected to bat, leaving Brentwood to deal with the high humid temperatures in the field.

The Brentwood opening bowling attack of Ben Sach and James Welham began well but having bowled just 2 overs Welham had to withdraw injured from the bowling attack. Jamie Dawes stepped up to continue the attack and Dawes and Sach combined with some tight fielding restricted the Walden run rate to less than 3 an over. The first wicket fell in the 8th over when Dawes clean bowled Heath (11) and the 9th and 10th overs also saw wickets - Glydon (6), bowled Sach, caught Ronnie Saunders and Webster (0), bowled Dawes, caught Elliott Skinner - the score 29 for 3 off 10 overs. Prem Pithia replaced Sach and they continued to maintain the low rate. Dawes took his third wicket in the 12th - a wicket maiden, seeing off Hill (4), trapped LBW. Dawes finished his spell having bowled 5 overs conceding only 10 runs for his three wickets.

Walden's number 3, Beaumont had settled things down and with Gregg a partnership began to build. Captain Saunders introduced the spin attack to liven things up and the breakthrough came in the 26th over with the score on 75, when Beaumont (39) was out bowled Saunders, caught Skinner. Dougie Maxwell then bowled Gregg (24) which led to a Walden collapse - Maxwell bowling Bull (4) and Billy Hull straight bowling Hancock (11), Hansen (0) and Plumb (0) in a superb 3 wicket maiden. Maxwell finished off the innings, bowling Bull (4) with Walden all out for 110 off 34.3 overs.

Brentwood knew that they could not afford to be complacent and they set about their task in a professional and focused way. Skinner and Saunders opened the innings and some wayward bowling in the first couple of overs saw the score on 14 after the first two overs. Saunders (4) fell in the first 4th over to be replaced by Welham. Skinner and Welham played a textbook innings, attacking the bad balls which allowed them to move the score on at almost 8 an over. The target was reached in just 13.2 overs, Skinner finishing on 25 including 5 boundaries and Welham on 54 clearing the boundary once along with 8 fours.

Brentwood have now played 6, won 5 and lost 1 but they cannot afford any slips now. There are two matches left one of which is Dunmow who were equal on points at the top of the league at the start of the day but with a better run rate.

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12th July

Goresbrook 167 all out off 39.2 overs
Brentwood 168-7 off 35.5 overs
Brentwood won by 3 wickets

Report by Julie Welham

Brentwood welcomed Goresbrook to the Old County Ground on a critical day in the Matchplay group when there were two head to head fixtures involving the top four teams. Brentwood won the toss and elected to bowl.

The Brentwood opening attack of James Welham and Jack Hoy set about the job in hand but they were unable to make a breakthrough and at the end of their spell Goresbrook were sitting comfortably at 39 for 0 - the best start any team has taken from our bowling in the competition so far.

Jamie Dawes and Billy Hull came into the attack, Hull bowling opener Harris (23) in his second over but Goresbrook were still scoring runs freely so with the score on 70 for 1 off 16 overs captain Ronnie Saunders decided it was time to introduce the spin attack. Dougie Maxwell struck gold in his first over - trapping the other opener, Curley (32) LBW. Not only did the spinners slow down the run rate they tore apart the batting - Maxwell ending on 8-2-21-4 and Saunders 8-1-32- 2.

At the end of their spell Goresbrook were left on 130 for 7. Hoy returned and removed Simmons (17) to a spectacular diving catch by Welham and Hull added the last two wickets to his haul, Goresbrook ending on 167.

Brentwood were confident that this was an achievable target on what looked a good batting track but once again the batting performance did not tally with the ability within the team. Opener Welham was caught behind (Simmons, bowled Friend) on 4 followed by Saunders who was bowled Din having only scored 3 - Brentwood were now on 30 for 2 off 7.

Skinner was looking solid but when he fell in the 10th over on 28 a collapse began. Jack Greenwood (4), Matt Thorpe-Apps (7) and Carl Dutton (1) fell leaving Brentwood looking decidedly shaky on 67 for 6. This brought Dawes and Hull together at the crease. The pair settled in and began to build a solid but exciting partnership - scoring runs freely but at times riding their luck - Hull was dropped three times with a number of other close calls.

At the 20 over point Brentwood were ahead of the run rate on 94 and the pair knew that they just needed to bat sensibly to see the innings through. A rush of blood in the 27th over brought the partnership to a close when Dawes was run out which brought Prem Pithia to the crease. Despite the setback the runs continued to flow with Hull especially punishing the bad balls. The required run rate had been reduced to 2 an over and Hull and Pithia saw Brentwood home in the 35th over, Hull on 50, Pithia on 26.

Brentwood showed great resilience to claw their way back into a game that looked well out of their reach and this will to win needs to carry forward to next week when they face Dunmow in what will be the final decider for qualification.

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19th July

Dunmow 127 all out off 37.4 overs
Brentwood 129-1 off 29 overs
Brentwood won by 9 wickets

Report by Julie Welham

Brentwood travelled to Great Dunmow for the final group fixture in the Matchplay competition knowing that it was all or nothing for both teams - the winner gaining the quarter final place, the loser walking away with nothing. Brentwood won the toss and opted to bowl.

The team were fired up and hungry for the win and on just the fifth ball of the innings James Welham caught and bowled Coup (0). This only brought more noise from the team as Ben Sach began at the other end. At the end of the fifth over captain Ronnie Saunders responded to the batsman's technique and made the decision to move Mark Baldock to the unorthodox position of leg gully. He was rewarded on the very next ball when Swanston (6) dutifully stepped across his stumps and turned the ball towards Baldock who took a superb diving catch.

Welham then struck again in the 7th over uprooting Matthews' (1) off stump leaving the score at 15 for 3 and Brentwood looking in control. Down and Wyganowski began to build a slow but steady partnership until Baldock took another catch, this time in a more orthodox slip position off Dutton removing the potentially dangerous Down (9). Dutton struck twice more in quick succession, bowling Sneath (0) and removing Gallant (1) caught Jack Greenwood. James Bowler played his part bowling 6 overs for just 12 runs and was unlucky not to pick up any wickets. At the 20 over point Dunmow were 58 for 6.

Saunders and Dougie Maxwell came into the attack after the drinks break and true to form Maxwell struck with just his second ball - Hadfield (5) caught Ed Hornby. He pulled off an almost identical wicket in his next over when Rendell (1) was also caught Hornby, this time a more difficult but well taken catch.

In order to try to wrap up the tail Sach and Welham were brought back on and immediately the decision paid off when Wyganoski skied Sach's first ball which was caught by Saunders despite a near collision between at least three fielders. Welham and Sach were unlucky not to see off the last man despite a strong appeal for a caught behind and lots of "well placed" ariel shots. Jack Greenwood was given the ball and claimed the last wicket with his fourth ball - caught and bowled - Dunmow finished on 127 all out.

Brentwood knew that with a relatively low target they could afford to take their time and not take any unnecessary risks. The openers Saunders and Elliott Skinner batted steadily and took the score onto 35 when Saunders edged behind to be caught by keeper Wyganoski for 17. Welham joined Skinner knowing that the required run rate was still only around 3 an over but with rain clouds looming they knew that they needed to push the score onto 64 by the 20th over.

Competition rules state that a result can be called anytime from then and only run rate not wickets are taken into account. Welham took a couple of overs to get his eye in before the pair began to open up and knock the runs off.

The two took the score onto 67 after the 20th over which assured Brentwood the win so long as they kept ahead of the rate from then onwards. The rain however did not arrive and Skinner and Welham moved towards the target and finished the game off - Skinner playing some superb straight-batted shots to be rewarded by 7 boundaries whilst Welham defended the good balls but was not afraid to attack the loose balls - 2 sixes and 7 boundaries. Final score - Brentwood 129 for 1 with 11 overs to spare - Skinner just one short of a deserved 50 and Welham on 52.

Brentwood once again showed fantastic team spirit and a tremendous will to win. They did not disappoint in any of the disciplines - the fielding was top class and together with the tight bowling it was unsurprising that Dunmow were unable to post a large total and to then deliver with the bat as well was superb. The team fully deserve the quarter final place that this win has earned for them.

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