Stunning partnership helps Towers to commanding win
Carlton Towers Cricket Club v Osbaldwick and Ovington
Sport -
July 25, 2021
Pledwick under-11s 58 all out Selby under-11s 59-1
It was a glorious Thursday evening in South Wakefield on July 15, as Selby Cricket Club’s under-11s travelled to Pledwick to face a semi-final fixture with added pressure, as the under-13s had already booked their place in the cup final the previous week.
The Selby team, including captain Jack Hunter, won the toss and decided to bowl first. They took to the field with the new ball in hand and set about the task of keeping wides to a minimum and targeting the stumps. Pledwick started well with two seasoned under-11s providing a stern test to the Selby Youth - putting on 17 without loss off the four overs from the opening bowlers. Selby brought on Stan Bugg for what turned out to be a fine spell of quick left-arm bowling.
He removed both openers in three fine overs, including a caught and bowled and one crashing through all three stumps to raucous applause from the players and crowd. Bugg finished with 2-5. With Selby now on top, the team kept up the pace and bowling in tandem with Bugg, Aaron Jones had the no.3 batsman removed with the middle stump being toppled. The wickets kept falling, as Pledwick faltered under immense pressure from the Selby side. James Stead took three wickets, Aaron Jellet took another two, and Riley Bugg took the final wicket to leave Pledwick with a total of 58 all out. The under-11s now had a different challenge in front of them, can they value their wickets and make a challenge to reach the final? Both openers George Wells and Seth Wratten strode out to the middle having not had to contribute in the first innings bowling display, with the weight of the club on their young shoulders. Could they do it? Both Wells and Wratten were immense, as they struck the ball to all parts, playing shots that Lara and Tendulkar would have been happy with, as they put on a first wicket partnership of 50 and took their under-11 teammates to within touching distance of the final. It was a shame when Wratten was bowled for nine by the returning captain Zach Heslop.
Up stepped the Selby captain Jack Hunter and, with only nine runs needed, he destroyed two balls to the boundary to make light work of the Pledwick bowling attack. Selby finished on 59-1 in only 9.1 overs of the required 20. It was outstanding batting from George Wells finishing on 18 not out and Hunter on eight not out.
After the disappointing few weeks for the under-11s in the league - there is double delight for the club as both junior teams reach their respective cup finals. Selby’s under-11s squad. (22-07-116 SU)
