Match report

A great first day of cricket as Whitchurch welcomed a mixed friendly Overton XI to Parsonage.

Skipper Martyn Dance (MD) led a side with an array of different players including 4 juniors. U15s players Zach Brown, Gregory Bull and Gethin Ridge (part of last years league wining U13 squad) were joined by Ben Calvert making a return to the club to join the U15s this season. The rest of the team comprised a mix of first teamer regulars and also included a debut to new member, Dan Pearson.

MD, continuing usual practice, lost the toss to the Overton skipper who was to put the boys in to have a bat. It was an overcast day with a late April wicket - this was the logical ting to do.

The opening partnership pair of Jack Dancer and Zach Brown made a great and solid start. Zach opening in adults cricket for the first time showed remarkable technique and tenacity, making a hard thought 15 against some fine opening bowling from the Overton. He eventually fell to a caught and bowled after sticking out the first 18 overs. Jack played well for a balanced 53 not out, with the both teams opting to introduce a retiring rule at 50.

Jack took his leave and the two openers were replaced with Gregory Bull and Reece Hoare. Both battled well, Greg unfortunately unable to find the gaps through the well organised Overton field. Some fine batting though shown against some strong Overton bowling. Reece was to kick on to get 38 before being caught and replaced by Sam Dancer and new recruit Dan Pearson.

Sammy in very usual fashion took to dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground and quickly retired with 51 from 25 deliveries. Dan followed this up with a tremendous showing of attacking batting racing to 46 unbeaten. Some glorious pull shots putting the cars parked unsuspecting at risk. Notably Gethin Ridge was bowled by a ball which failed to bounce, but took it like a trooper, shrugging it off confident that his work with the ball would do the talking later. A solid innings came to a close at 240-7.

Sam and Dan opened the blowing for Overtons reply. They kept things tight against the openers with Dan making the break through with a fine delivery dismantling the stumps. In keeping with the spirit of friendly matches, everyone was to be given the ball. The U15 players showing why they can look forward to the season with some with some remarkable bowling.

Gregory Bull keeping things tight and got his reward, ending with figures of 1-38, Gethin Ridge (our mercurial Welsh Spin Wizard) then produced a spell leg spin bowling that was truly impressive, with a fine 2-47. They were supported by Zach who followed on from some strong batting with some lovely tight bowling taking 1-11 and last but definitely not least was Ben Calvert with 1-18.

The boys pushed hard and other notable bowling performances were Dan Pearson, who wrapped up the innings with a stump clattering delivery to finish with 2-6 from his 5 overs and Reece Hoare with 2-1 from his 2 overs. Overton were bowled out for 204 with 5 balls remaining.

A good win was had but most importantly time in the middle and a massive step in the development of Whitchurch Cricket Club's youth section.

Next week we welcome Crown Taverners for our first league game.