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2008 Review Index
Under 15s
XI Report
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Could this year be as successful yet
again with this age group winning the Cardiff and Vale Junior League
title? Having won the title for the past two years it was going to be a
big ask. Surprisingly with the summer that we had, we completed all team
fixtures on time with only the one problem against Pentyrch which had to
be rearranged. The choice of Adam Wood as captain was a good decision as
he communicated well with his players and coach. His “never say die”
attitude and a fierce competitive spirit lifted all the team and he was
well respected. He has become an excellent wicket keeper, batsman and
bowler. Late in the season Gethin Davies took over the gloves and Adam
became the fast bowler that opposition respected.
The success of the team would depend on
the ability of the “senior” players to pull things off at the right time.
Apart from Adam we had County players in Huw Moorcraft – big hitter and
fast bowler, Alastair Brace – right hand bat and medium pace cutters,
Bethan Moorcraft our international player batswoman and bowler and Dewi
Harris – left hand bat and off spinner. GCSE coursework, Cardiff Blues
rugby trials and sometimes a lack of communication put a slight damper on
what turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable season.
It is always important to have a good
start and we were lucky enough to play Sully away first game which we won
by 64 runs. In our total of 146 for 8, Tom Francis and Adam Wood both made
37 runs and Huw Moorcraft made 36 (all retired). Gethin Davies with his
leg spin bowling of 3 for 15 reduced the opposition to 82 for 9. Our next
match at home against Whitchurch was also successful with Alastair Brace
making 35 (retired) and Adam Wood 36 (retired) in a total of 124 for 3.
This score allowed Adam Wood to use all the squad to bowl with Dewi Harris
gaining 2 for 13 runs.
Our third match was against Cardiff away
and the low point of our season. Lack of communication between players and
coach saw Cowbridge play with only 9 players and those who played gave a
good account of themselves. Batting first we managed only 70 for 5 with
Adam top scoring with 16 runs. Cardiff had a few wobbles before reaching
the total with the loss of 3 wickets – Tom Francis taking 2 for 25.
Fourth match and back to winning ways
defeating Sully by 8 runs. Cowbridge scored 98 for 9 with Adam making 26,
Huw 16, Dewi 16, and Tom 15. Tom’s 1 for 6 and Huw’s 3 for 14 restricted
Sully to 90 for 7 from their 20 overs.
We then played St Fagans in the league
and Welsh Cup and were comprehensively beaten by a very good side. Only
Adam Wood fronted up to them scoring a very quick 37 (retired) runs in a
total of 78 before the rest crumbled. St Fagans having made 132 for 5. The
true test of a good side is when you play well against the better
opposition. In both games against St Fagans we were found wanting in
batting, bowling and fielding and a lack of good basic technique came to
the fore.
However, the lesson learnt from those
two games gave us successive wins against Pentyrch and Radyr with Alex
Kurobasa taking over from Adam as captain against the former team. The
young side including Sam Wood and Chris Brace from the Under 13’s
blossomed. Pentyrch scored 86 for 5 with Alex taking 2 for 24, Bethan 1
for 9 and Chris Brace taking 1 for 11. In reply, young Sam Wood made 31
not out, Tom Francis 22 and Bethan 21 securing victory by seven wickets.
The big guns came back for the fixture against Radyr with Adam Wood (36)
and Huw Moorcraft (34) laying the foundations for a score of 110 all out.
This score allowed Adam who took 3 for 3 to use most of the team when
bowling with Nick Oakes taking 2 for 9.
After this result, we were second in the
league but disaster struck as we lost to Lisvane on the Cardiff University
pitch. Possibly the senior players thought this would be an easy victory
and paid the price. Only Tom Francis (37 retired) and Gethin Davies (10)
made double figures in a total of 72 for 9. Their opening pair batted very
well against the best we could muster and Lisvane reached 73 for 2 in the
19th over. Pride was restored a fortnight later when the team
had their revenge at home. Batting first Lisvane scored 88 for 9 with
Alastair Brace taking 1 for 4 in his four overs, Adam Wood taking 4 for 11
and Dewi Harris 1 for 15. Good batting performances from Adam Wood (21),
Alex Kurobasa (21), Alastair Brace (18) and Huw Moorcraft (16) ensured
victory for the loss of just 5 wickets.
The last game of the season was against
Whitchurch away, with St Fagans and Cardiff having secured their places in
the league play off final. A young Cowbridge side with only Dewi Harris
and Thomas Scott-Coombes of the “senior” players travelled to Cardiff.
Batting first only Bethan (captain) 9 runs, Tom Francis 11 and Gethin 10
put up any resistance in a poor score of 52 all out. The loudest cheer was
reserved for George Hawksworth the number 11 who scored his first run of
the season. It took Whitchurch 17 overs to reach the total with Dewi
taking the only 2 wickets to fall.
The team finished in 3rd
position in the league of 10 teams:
1st – St Fagans – 27 points
2nd – Cardiff – 27 points
3rd – Cowbridge – 22 points
4th – Whitchurch – 18 points
I would like to thank all the players
for their support and effort in what was a very enjoyable season. There is
no doubt in my mind that we were a much improved side, especially fielding
by the end of the season. If we are to be successful (trophy chasing) then
the strongest team must play each time. However, I feel that we are only
developing players and making the game enjoyable for them so it becomes a
life long sport. I have enjoyed the company of the female player this year
and wish Bethan all the success in her future career in cricket. To Adam,
I thank him for being such a good captain and also our most outstanding
player of the season. To the “senior” players, good luck next year in the
“men’s” game and to those youngsters who remain – let’s move on next
season.
I must also thank the Mums and Dads who
supported and transported players to matches. Thanks also to Dave Harris,
Joanne Moorcraft and David Wood for umpiring and looking after one fixture
and last but by no means least, David Lloyd for helping with the scoring.
Hugh Williams
Under 15 Coach
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