Under 12s beat Preston Nomads in Nevill mist

On a night when the sea mist never lifted at the Nevill the under 12s saw through the gloom to beat Preston Nomads in a match reduced to 18 overs to take account of the light.

Nomads won the toss and chose to bat but may have been regretting that when the second over was a double wicket maiden from Jack Gardner and the visitors were left on 1 for 2 from 2. A couple of fours from Charlie Gilgencrantz restored some pride (he went on to make 17) but a two wickets from Ollie Hawes (the second in a maiden) left them reeling again at 33 for 4 from 7 overs. Fraser Vokins then came to the wicket and confidently increased the strike rate, hitting three 4s and one glorious 6 in his innings of 25 before retiring. Joey and Dylan each took a wicket as they both bowled tidily and it was left to Aidan to finish the innings with a miserly 2 from the final over.

In reply Ollie Hawes and Joey started confidently with 8 from the first over and put on a partnership of 30 for the first wicket aided by some loose bowling and fielding by the visitors. When Joey was out Will came to the wicket and maintained the required scoring rate so that at 9 overs we were on course for the target at 47 for 1. Ollie made 18 while Will was eventually bowled for 7 having hit one lovely four. Ollie G made 5 before also being bowled when the score had reached 80 for 4 with three overs remaining. Jack grasped the initiative by hitting a 4 off his first ball and, although he was out for 10 and Alpha without scoring, the result was then not in doubt with Aidan and Fin steering us home with five balls to spare.

Man of the match was Ollie Hawes for his fine contribution with both bat and ball which gave us a fine start to both innings.