New Forest U12 District Squad 2010 - Match Reports 

Festival games July 2010

26^th July – New Forest v South East

South East won the toss and elected to bat, on what turned out to be an exceptional day’s cricket.  They got off to a good start being 63 for 1, when their opener fell in the 14^th over, bowled by Matty Taylor for 32.  Their 2^nd wicket fell to a great catch by Ollie Lambert of Alex Mills bowling.  Oscar Marshall spin then tempted their batsman to try to hit out, being stumped by Peter Scott, with Rob Pike taking a further catch off Harry Field’s bowling.   

South East continued to amass runs until Alex Mills started his second spell of bowling.  He made an immediate impact taking 4 wickets in 2 overs, which brought the New Forest boys back to life ending with a brilliant run out by Ben Johns.  South East reached 276-9 off their 45 overs, with Alex Mills taking 5 wickets in his spell of 9-1-43 -5.  We must also not forget the South East opener D Damley-Jones who carried his bat for a superb 105 not out.  

New Forest faced a difficult task ahead of them.  Our openers Ben Johns and Sam Course started brightly, scoring 58 of 12 before Sam was bowled for 12.  Oscar Marshall and Ben then put on 40 before Oscar was caught for 14.  Matty Taylor then came to the crease and he and Ben put on 41 before Ben was bowled for 67, this being Ben’s first ever New Forest half century.  Matty was supported by Robert Pike (14), Ollie Lambert, Jack Whetren and Peter Scott before being run out 1 short of his 50.  Peter (23 no) was supported by Harry Field and Ben Howard-Allen (10no) saw us reach and surpass the South East total to finish on 280 in the 44^th over.    

Who would have thought at the beginning of the day we would see 556 runs in 89 overs of cricket – credit to both sides.  For the New Forest boys this was a superb team effort and a well deserved victory, with Ben Johns getting his first ever 50 and Alex Mills his first ever 5 wicket haul.      

The New Forest Squad:  Ben Johns, Sam Course, Oscar Marshall, Matty Taylor (c)  Robert Pike, Ollie Lambert, Jack Whetren, Peter Scott (wk), Harry Field, Ben Howard- Allen and Ali Bryers. 

27^th July – New Forest v North Hants 

The day opened with Coke and Chocolate cake courtesy of Alex Mills for his 5 wicket hall the day before. 

The north elected to bowl with Ben Johns and Sam Course putting on an opening partnership of 118.  Sam (14) was the first to fall in the 32^nd over followed by Ben an over later for a brilliant 73.  Rob Pike & Matty Taylor then took up the mantle.  Unfortunately for Rob he was bowled the following over and Matty began to see his partners fall around him.  Matty played the anchor role pinching the strike at on all occasions and hit a very quick unbeaten 37.  The New Forest finished on 195 for 6 at the end of their 45 overs. 

New Forest got of to a great start, with Ben Howard-Allen claiming their opening bat in the 6^th over very cheaply.  Very tight bowling by Alex Mills, Ben Howard-Allen, Robert Pike & Oscar Marshall restricted their run rate and after 20 overs North Hants were 62 for 3.  We saw a brilliant catch by Ben Howard-Allen and a stumping by Peter Scott, followed by 2 more catches and 2 run-outs.  North East were all out on 152. 

Unfortunately the day was marred with injuries to Harry Field and Oscar Marshall, it was touch and go whether they would be available for tomorrow.

The New Forest squad:  Sam Course, Ben Johns, Rob Pike, Matty Taylor (c), Adam Rowley, Oscar Marshall, Charlie Holmes, Peter Scott (wk), Hugh Thomas, Harry Field, Alex Mills, Ben Howard-Allen.

28^th July – New Forest v Winchester

At the start of play we all knew if we beat Winchester today we could possibly top the group.  Unfortunately Oscar’s spin fingers had not healed over night despite him having a late fitness test (thanks Andy), but Harry Field was passed fit to play.  Alex Mills got the call knowing that all he could do today was bat as he had bowled for the previous 2 days. 

New Forest won the toss and elected to field.  There was a run out in the first over and a caught and bowled by Harry Field in the 3^rd over.  Our bowling attack of Harry Field, Ali Bryers, Ollie Lambert, Hugh Thomas and Rob Pike kept things very tight and after 30 overs Winchester were 103 for 4.  Unfortunately the drinks break disrupted our play and the 7^th & 8^th Winchester batsman scored a very quick 130 runs from our remaining 15 overs.   

Our batsmen were shuffled to give everyone a different opportunity.  Alex Mills 30 and Rob Pike 34 were the only 2 batsman to put up any resistance to the tight and tidy bowling of Winchester.  We were all out for 135.

Although the New Forest team left Lord Wandsworth a tired and disappointed squad, they had played their hearts out they were a credit to the New Forest.   

The New Forest squad:  Matty Taylor (c), Alex Mills, Robert Pike, Ollie Lambert, Ben Johns, Ben Howard-Allen, Adam Rowley, Hugh Thomas, Peter Scott (wk), Harry Field, Sam Course & Ali Bryers. 

Summary

In summary the two festival weeks have been an outstanding success for the boys. They have improved immensely since last year and to finish second when in previous years they have finished fourth clearly illustrates the progress they have made.  We even had a chance to win the group on the final day which was almost unbelievable!  Overall they bowled better, batted more responsibly and fielded exceptionally well which is a direct reflection of the time they have spent with Paul over the winter and during the summer friendlies. They really are a great set of boys who have been a pleasure to work with and I am looking forward to next year already. Well done to them all.

Clare Taylor

New Forest U12 manager

Festival reports June 2010. 

New Forest v North 1^st June

No play due to rain. 

New Forest v South East – 2^nd June

On a glorious summers day South East won the toss and put the Forest into bat.  Unfortunately we lost an early wicket Ben Johns being caught off the bowling of Southon.  Our no 3 batman Matty Taylor looked in confident form but was bowled by Perrin with the score on 38.  Then a terrific partnership of 71 runs by Sam Course and Robert Pike who moved the score onto 129 before Rob Pike was out for a magnificent 46.  Sam Course and Jack Whetram then continued to give the Forest the advantage before Jack was out for 16.  Charlie Holmes was next to the crease and he and Sam took our total to an impressive 176 for 4 from all our 45 overs.  Sam Course carried his bat through the whole inning for 37 not out, a special outstanding contribution.       

Our opening bowlers of Harry Field, 5-3-3-1 and Alex Mills 5-0-18-0 had the South East in trouble at 21 for 1 after 10 overs.  Robert Pike 4-0-17-0 and Ben Howard-Allen 3-0-22-0 kept the South East behind the run rate.  Matty Taylor then put in a devastating performance of 5 overs 4 for 23 matched by a brilliant spell of spin bowling by Oscar Marshall 5 overs 3 for 13, this also included a hat-trick.   Hugh Thomas took the last wicket with only his second ball and the South East were all out for 96.  A special mention also goes to Peter Scott who made 3 terrific stumpings.  Overall a great all round team effort. 

Our squad consisted of:  Matty Taylor (c), Peter Scott (wk), Ben Johns, Oscar Marshall, Jack Whetram, Sam Course, Robert Pike, Charlie Holmes, Harry Field, Ben Howard-Allen, Alex Mills & Hugh Thomas.

New Forest v Winchester – 3^rd June

On a scorching Thursday 3 June, we loss the toss and were asked to field by Winchester.  Our opening bowlers Alex Mills and Harry Field restricted Winchester to 21 for 3 of 10 overs.  Despite the heat the team continued to battle hard with wickets falling in the 18th, 23rd, 25th, 27th^, 28th, 36^th and 37^th overs, Winchester being all out for 137. 

Our hopes were high, never had we bowled a Winchester team out before, however their opening attack was very good, and we lost out first wicket in the 5^th over.  Oscar Marshall hit 3 excellent fours before being caught for 13, and Matty Taylor hit 31 before being bowled.  Unfortunately our batsman found it hard against the Winchester attack and we were all out for 71. 

Despite the loss there were lots of positives to take from this match.  There were some excellent bowling by Harry Field and Oscar Marshall, and batting from Matty Taylor.  There was great team spirit shown by the boys and although they were a little disappointed, it was a first for us bowling Winchester out. 

Our squad consisted of:  Matty Taylor (c), Peter Scott (wk), Ben Johns, Oscar Marshall, Adam Rowley, Jack Whetram, Jeff Wilkins, Charlie Holmes, Harry Field, Ben Howard-Allen, Alex Mills & Hugh Thomas.

The pick of our bowlers being:

Harry Field 6-0-9-3

Alex Mills 5-0-14-1

Ben Howard-Allen 3-0-6-0

Matty Taylor 5-0-20-2

Oscar Marshall 9-0-29-0 

Catches – Ben Howard-Allen, Charlie Holmes & Peter Scott

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Pre Festival reports. 

New Forest U12’s v Calmore 13’s

On 9^th May 2010, the New Forest U12’s played Calmore U13’s at Wellow.  Calmore elected to bat.  The Forest restricted the visitors to 97-9, with extremely good bowling from:  Ben Howard-Allen 5-0-14-2, Harry Field 3-0-10-2, Oscar Marshall 5-1-8-1 & Charlie Holmes 3-0-11-1. 

Ben Johns and Adam Rowley had a great opening partnership scoring 42 before our middle order collapsed!  It was left to Charlie Holmes (16) with support from Alex Mills and Alistair Bryers to clinch our first victory. 

 New Forest U12’s v Dorset B U12’s – Sunday 16^th May

The following weekend, we were back in action at Redlynch & Hale against Dorset B.  Dorset won the toss, putting us into bat.  We started badly being 40 for 8 after 16 overs.  Knocks from Matty Taylor (11) Peter Scott (12) Ben Howard Allen (11) and a solid 19 from Alex Mills saw us reach 106 all out. 

After tea, we took 6 early wickets, when rain stopped play with the match in the balance.  The pick of the bowlers being Harry Field 4-0-19-3, Alex Mills 5-0-14-2 & Matty Taylor 4-0-19-1.  There were also two brilliant catches, one by Ben Johns in slip and Harry Field off his own bowling. 

 We are hoping for a re-match against Dorset later in the season.

New Forest U12’s v U11’s

On Friday 21^st May we played the New Forest U11’s at Wellow.  The U11’ elected to bat and were all out for 51.  Robert Pike 3-1-14-2, Oscar Marshall 3-1-3-1, Harry Field 3-0-14-3, Matthew Bampton 3-0-11-2 and Theo Pritchard 1.1-0-2-2 got the wickets. 

The U11’s took 3 early wickets, but runs from Peter Scott (16), Matty Taylor (19) and Robert Pike (6) helped us gain victory.      

New Forest U12’s v U13’s

On Sunday 23^rd May we played our final friendly match against the New Forest U13’s at Minstead on a boiling hot Sunday afternoon. We lost the toss and the U13’s decided to bat.  They amassed 178 for 10 of their 40 overs.   The pick of our bowlers were: Oscar Marshall 8-2-31-4, Alex Mills 8-1-42-3 & Harry Field 3-0-10-2.  In reply we got 135 for 10 off 39 overs, with Oscar Marshall 30, Alex Mills 19 and Ben Howard-Allen 14.