With the junior social and barbecue in full swing at Grange Loan, Carlton U11’s weren’t put off by missing out on a burger or two and on a cold, dark Friday evening in Stockbridge scored a good win against Grange Sharks. Playing 10-a-side, there were times when it looked as if the game might be in doubt as dark clouds gathered and light rain started to fall – fortunately both sides were able to get a full 20 overs in.
Grange won the toss and put Carlton in. First pair up were Fin and Rua who played their shots well and with a couple of boundaries put down good foundations and soon moved the score on to 221. Next in were Brodie and Dylan – some sensible batting and another couple of 4’s saw the score advance to 234. Nina and Eve were next up adding another 9 runs, with Nina sweeping a lovely boundary. Muz and Jamie added another 6 runs before the final pairing of Fabian and Saachin saw the score through to 256.
Although Carlton had reached a competitive target, tight fielding and accurate bowling would be required to win the game and the Carlton team didn’t disappoint. Muz and Brodie opened the bowling restricting Grange to 2 runs off the first 4 overs, with Brodie snagging a wicket. Next up were Rua and Saachin who restricted Grange to a further 13 runs with Saachin picking up a wicket.
However it was Eve and Nina bowling in tandem in the middle of the innings that really put the pressure on, restricting the score with four wickets falling including a great caught and bowled by Eve. Under the watchful gaze of the Grange groundsman, with the drizzle coming back on, the covers came onto the main wicket (resulting in the boundary being brought in!). However, Jamie and Dylan weren’t to be deterred, Jamie snagging a wicket and Dylan two, just missing out on his hat trick. That left Fin and Fabian to bring it home, with Grange ultimately losing by 29 runs. Great credit to all for some really accurate bowling and fielding.
