Under 12s v Bexhill CC - Under 12

At 5.24pm, we finally had to give into the weather. A game we were in control of was suddenly a draw with only 15 points from a possible 40. Checking the tables after the long journey home revealed only a very slim chance of making it through, despite having won our group with 2 wins and this draw. A depressing way to end a brilliant week for the boys.

Or so we thought. An unexpected phone call from genial organiser Mike Burton-Durham revealed that we would be in the final after all!

Back to the match itself. We arrived in bright sunshine and blue skies - no inkling of what would come later. Bexhill won the toss and put us in. That's okay, we were happy either way.

Joe D bravely put his name forward to open, as did Luke, great to see youngsters playing up a year take responsibility. Joe D won the toss with Luke and padded up. Facing his first few balls in the first over, he looked very much at home, but alas he was bowled by a leg stump ball that kept a bit low. As it turned out, the pitch would play a few tricks throughout the game.

Hugo came in to join Joey, but Joey missed a straight one for the first time in what has been an exceptional season for him, and we were 2 down with only 10 on the board. Tarun, Tuesday's hero came to the crease and both players gradually played themselves in, fending off the odd delivery that jumped off a length. It wasn't easy out there. It was really good to see Hugo have a look at the bowling before playing too many shots - there were a few balls that he could have attacked that were straight but he sensibly took his time. He moved his feet well to counter the uneven bounce and both he and Tarun started to stamp their authority on a pretty useful Bexhill bowling attack, picking up the scoring rate and helping us recover from losing the early wickets.

They took the score onto 57 before Hugo got an absolutely unplayable delivery from the appropriately named Jack Thunder. It swung slightly away before jagging back to clip the top of off stump. So unlucky to get such a great delivery when well set and he departed with an excellent 28 to his name.

Next up was Scott, joining Tarun at the crease for consecutive matches. Last time they put on 74, and they would go on to add 131 today before Bexhill finally struck again. A great contrast in styles. Tarun tall and elegant, Scott all hustle, bustle and determination, and no little skill. They scored at a comfortable six an over as the Bexhill attack struggled to contain Tarun in particular, and stop both boys from rotating the strike effectively as well. Tarun reached fifty to go with his 126 at Lewes Priory, and it looked ominous for Bexhill when he struck a magnificent six up the hill, which his dad spent some time searching the bushes for unsuccessfully!

A second successive century beckoned before he became a victim of the pitch - a straight one scuttling along the ground to trap him in front for a brilliant 80. Considering the boundaries were almost twice the size of those at Lewes, and taking into account the difficult pitch, it was probably an even better innings than his 126.

Charlie came in after his misfortune of Tuesday, but couldn't keep out a ball that hit the top of middle. Meanwhile Scott was continuing along his merry way, quick singles and well-judged twos intermingled with the odd four. Joe K came in to cut a fine boundary to third man, but was run out by a good piece of work by a bexhill fielder shortly after. Archie came in shortly before the intended declaration at 33 overs, and as luck would have it, Scott scampered a quick single to bring up a well-deserved 50 off the last ball of the 33rd over to bring the innings to a close. Bexhill to chase an imposing target of 207 in 37 overs.

So tea was taken with anxious eyes skywards as the lovely blue skies of earlier were replaced by threateningly dark clouds already bringing a touch of light rain.

The openers, including their Sussex under 13 girl, Hollie, set out under the menacing dark skies to begin the Bexhill reply, to be faced by the equally menacing Scott, who removed Hollie LBW in his first over with a gunbarrel-straight yorker. The game was on, but sadly within minutes, it was off, persistent light rain and wind making conditions just too difficult.

We hung around a while, but it was looking hopeless with no break in the clouds in any direction and so we had no choice to abandon.

A disappointing end to a nonetheless enjoyable game of cricket, and the boys shook hands with another great set of lads (and lass) at Bexhill. It was a real pleasure playing them.

Men of the match: Tarun and Scott