Fillongley Cricket Club

A big crowd tonight for the Under 16s big game against Bedworth, who had a 100% record in the league. The first game between these sides resulted in a three run loss for our boys, but a win would guarantee us a share of the title.

Batting first, Bedworth made an impressive 153 all out. Ryan Parnell was the star with 81 (9 fours and 4 sixes). This was a quality innings, but only one of the other Bedworth players got past 7 so to some extent he was doing it on his own.  As partners started to run out he hit an over from Mulhall for 25, taking the score to 133 with 4 overs left. Another over of this and they might have been out of sight, but we got the break and he miscued Harry to AJ. The tail disappeared quickly and we were left a challenging, but not impossible target. Again we suffered on the wide front, 20 of them.

Will Vinesis a key bat for us so we were in trouble when he was bowled by Sharma in the first over. This brought Kyle Taylor to the crease to join Matt Smith. Matt hit one big six then was well caught on the boundary going for another. 25-2 in four overs and sonmething special needed from Kyle and Jonny Brown. Something special we got. Kyle made an outstanding 81 not out off just 49 balls with three sixes and seven fours. There were plenty of the trademark straight drives but what really impressed me was the absence of any of the old big risk get out shots. Even with a big target and a decent Bedworth attack he never looked like getting out. Jonny is a different type of player. When you think he has 15 he has generally got 30 plus because even though the good balls get defended all the bad ones go to the boundary. He made 58 off 54 balls and the two put on 133. Giong into the last over we needed nine to win. Jonny got a single then Kyle hit 4 and 1. 3 off 3 needed but Jonny was out next ball, bringing in AJ. A single left Kyle needing 2 to win off the last ball, but no running required, just a flat straight six to win the game.

We are finished now. Bedworth face Griff next week, and will share the title with us if they win.

As a final note we asked for people to come to the game tonight and got a great turnout. A big thank you for your support. It makes a big difference on the big occasions.