Wanstead U13 girls v Orsett
Wednesday 8th May
The Wanstead U13 girls travelled to Orsett in the opener for the hardball league. After a few false starts the season finally got under way. A long drive for all and as always the effort to get the girls to the venue is greatly appreciated. Wanstead lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a very green wicket (ok it was Astro). A very big change in the team from last season and huge shoes to fill. Kiah and Saanvi opened the batting and set a solid base in the first few overs. The second wicket stand then really kicked on with Lucinda joining Kiah in middle and accelerating the run rate. Kiah retired with her first ever 50 with a ball left in the innings. Lucinda hit 37 not out with some big shots in between the quick singles. Wanstead closed the innings for 138-1 of 16 overs.
By the time the Wanstead girls had come out to bowl temperatures had dropped and the crowd was looking cold. But the girls didn’t blink. Tight bowling from Emily and Sienna to start and contributions from all the girls resulted in Orsett making 44 for 5 off their 16 overs. Wickets for Violet (2), Sienna, Saanvi and Kiah. Fielding was also excellent with all the girls backing up well and attacking the ball and great stops from behind the stumps.
The one thing that hasn’t changed from last season is the volume and support the girls bring both supporting the batters from the side and each other on the field. Win or lose you know the Wanstead girls are about. So a great start to the season. Well done to all the girls and again a huge thanks to all the parents for getting the girls to the match.
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Wanstead U15 girls v Frenford
Thursday 9th May
On a sunny evening at Overton, the U15’s Girls got the season underway against a formidable Frenford side. After losing the toss unsurprisingly we found ourselves in the field as the opposition opening partnership racked up a healthy 59 runs. Containment was the order of the day and the younger members namely Sienna, Kia, Emily & Aggie all delivered economical spells, ably assisted by an excellent fielding performance.
Frenford ended up posting 94 for 3 in their allotted 16 overs. With a softer ball, a softish wicket and a lush outfield this was always going to a big ask. After losing a wicket in the first over of our reply, Deetya & Clementine batted with gusto to put on a partnership of 35. Keya then found an ally in Sienna (partnership 39) but with some canny pace off bowling the run rate kept creeping up. With a couple of boundaries in the penultimate over, an unlikely victory was suddenly possible. Alas though after a crazy final over comprising of three run outs, Wanstead fell 4 runs short and 90 all out. All said and done though this was a terrifically exciting game, fun for both players and spectators alike.
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Wanstead U13a v Aztecs
A good win for Wanstead's U13a team against a potentially dangerous Aztecs side. We bowled them out for 68 in 16 overs, with 2 wickets apiece for Joseph & Jack and some excellent fielding resulting in 5 run outs! We knocked off the target in 10 overs for the loss of 1 wicket, with Anay scoring 23.
Wanstead U13G v Woodford Wells
Sunday 12th May
The Wanstead U13G hosted our friends at Woodford Wells for a friendly at Nutter Lane. Absolutely gorgeous morning for a match. Wanstead batted first. Nice to see some new and old faces stepping up into key roles. Openers Kiah (21 retired) and Elsie (19 retired) gave a great start. All other girls contributed through the innings with a nice 10 retired from Sienna as well, taking Wanstead to a total of 107 for 4 off the 20 overs.
Matches with Wells have historically always gone to the wire and today was no different. They batted well and kept pace with the run rate. Wanstead managed to pick up key wickets at important times. Violet started by removing one of the openers. Other wickets for Anushka and Arya (welcome to the group). All the girls contributed so a proper team effort. As always the drama came in the last over. Wells needed 3 to win or 2 to draw. Step up Elsie - 4 dot balls then a single. So last ball 2 to win and 1 to draw. Great ball, Wells run out going for the run.
A perfect way to end a great game and a few cookies to enjoy in the sun. Well done to all the girls and again a huge thanks to Chris for the warm up and umpiring and all the parents in supporting the girls.
Wanstead U13B v Frenford U13A
The U13Bs had a tough start to their Len Stentiford campaign this morning. Playing away to Frenford A, who have 4-5 county or district players and likely to be group winners, we lost the toss and were asked to field. Despite some decent bowling at times there were also quite a few wide deliveries, and the opposition batters were also in form, posting 190 for 4 off their 20 overs.
Our innings got off to a shaky start with a wicket off the first ball and another by the end of the first over. Soon after we were 10 for 4 but then commenced a very resilient and determined rearguard action, led by Shaurya (12) and Hari (30 retired), the latter making a very promising debut. The baton was then picked up by Sebastian, Oliver and Heath as we made Frenford work for their victory, finishing on a valiant and creditable 91 for 7.
It was this group’s first time playing together as a team and they showed some promising signs, not least with an excellent attitude in adversity. I look forward to seeing them develop in the remaining games.
Wanstead U10s v Newham
An interesting morning out in Newham for the U10s in the HD Cup. In their first match this year, we bowled first but unfortunately we had left our radar at home. Newham scored 120 for 3 in their 16 overs, however, only 28 of these came off the bat, with Hammad bowling the best with 2-11.
We then batted and were all out for 72, however, we scored 58 off the bat, with Josephine and Arnav both getting 14 and Sid coming in at 6 hitting 20 off 21 balls. Next week we will be bowling straighter!