JUNIORS/LADIES MATCH DEC. 2006
With the Columbus Oval at Albir being available to the AEC for the third time in as many weeks the association made full use of the facilities and had its second combined ladies and juniors match similar to the one that proved so successful on the 19th November.
The teams comprised of numerous ladies who have been training every weekend for almost a year now, and juniors, the youngest of whom was just six years old. The format of the game was fixed at twenty-five overs per side with batsmen retiring after scoring twenty five runs in order that as many players as possible would get a chance to bat and bowl. The teams were captained by two of the junior coaches,Welshman Jeff Matthews and Scot Neil Wynn.
The Welsh Dragons lost the toss and were put into bat by the Scottish Claymores. Despite losing an early wicket with the score on twelve, a second wicket partnership developed between opener Joel Brook and the incoming batsmen Ismael Garcia before Brook was caught and bowled for an aggressive seventeen. Garcia was joined by Matt Winter and the good work continued with Winter making a quickfire thirteen and Garcia retiring unbeaten after a chanceless twenty-seven. Some determined bowling by the Claymores mopped up the rest of the innings for a total of 95. The pick of the bowlers were Christian Munoz with 2-7 and nine year old Harry Marshall who also returned figures of 2-7. Jasmine Brindley also bowled well without any luck and ended the day with 0-7 off three overs.
The Claymores came out to bat in confident mood but had a setback when Charlie Johnston was out for six with the score on ten. However with the arrival of Christian Munoz to partner Brad Seekings the Claymores took control of the game with a partnership of sixty-four before Munoz retired after reaching the twenty-five mark.There was no respite however for the Dragons as Sam Draper hit a six off his first ball in a quickfire innings of thirteen.The Claymores lost a few more wickets before a seventh wicket partnership of Sarah Packhiam and George Pennick saw them home with five overs to spare. Ismael Garcia capped a fine overall performance with figures of 1-11 and Mel Culverwell came out of the game with the respectable figures of also 1-11 off three overs.
All the participants commented on how enjoyable the two combined ladies/juniors games had been and it is hoped that the Kennington Oval, and perhaps, La Manga will be available for similar games next season.