Match report by James Worby
Norfolk Alliance Under 13s
Great Ellingham U13’s 73-3 beat Garboldisham U13’s 71 All out by 2 runs.
The under 13 side kicked off the season with a narrow nail biting 2 run loss at home vs Gt Ellingham. Winning the toss and Bowling first Captain Will Cunningham opted for Harry Pulllen and Jack Whitlam to open the bowling, both bowled well with control and Harry got the breakthrough by clean bowling Mariner. 2 more early wickets from Oscar Skilleter and Harry Button together with some tight bowling from all meant that Gt Ellingham were restricted to 27-3 from the first 8 overs. But Amber Thompson came to the crease in fine touch and together with Hayes batted to the end with no more wickets lost, Amber finishing on a fine 23 Not Out and Hayes 5 Not Out and the pair pushed Ellingham to a below par but defendable 73-3 from their 16 overs.
The Garby run chase started badly, Amber continued to shine, this time with the ball by clean bowling Whitlam with the 3rd ball of Garby’s innings. Harry Pullen came in and showed promise with 2 early elegant boundaries but was then bowled by S Dyer for 8, and When Captain Cunningham was also bowled for 5 by the same bowler Garby looked in trouble at 20-3 from 5 overs. This bought partners in crime Skilleter and Boom Boom Charlie Aldous to the crease and as so many occasions last season they started to rebuild the innings before Skilleter was bowled for 3 by J Dyer. Harry Button then came in to partner Aldous and the pair put on what looked like a match winning partnership, they took Garby up to 55-4 from 12 and the home side then only needed 19 from the last 4 overs for victory. Aldous then hauled out to mid off for a very impressive 23 with some lusty blows to the boundary. The score moved on to 69-6 after 15 overs and The home side needed 5 from the last over to win. Harris scrambled a single from the second ball and then Button got one from the 3rd ball which meant 3 off 3 was required.
4th ball was a dot ball and disaster struck on the penultimate ball when Button was well run out by the Ellingham keeper.
A good and enjoyable game was had by all in this seasons curtain raiser.
Garby’s Man of the Match goes to Charlie Aldous for his superb 23 in his first match at under 13 level.