Littlewick U15s / 13s Beat Binfield in the 1st Round of the 15s Berkshire Cup to start a heroic cup Run.

A cacophony of birdsong welcomed us at a beautiful away fixture this evening. A wonderful chorus occasionally punctuated by screeching Red Kites (and a flapping coach) as our already depleted side found itself without a wicket keeper and opening bat with minutes to go (Get well Soon Oli G we miss you ;-)

- We lost the toss.
- Aadith was despondent
- I agreed 3 overs / bowler not 4. What was I thinking?
- we had no captain (Johnny was cup tied with school)
- we were doomed.

When Rohan Finally decided to emerge from the dressing room to open the batting it was 6.12pm ?. We had no hope.

3 for 3 off 3 Rohan, Fred and Oli Todd were back in the hutch in less time than Rohan took to come out.

Well, as the birdsong grew so so did our resolve. A 50 run 5th wicket partnership between Aadith (17) and Ben Duxbury (15) took us to 55 for 3 and new boy Mani, Charlie Fuller, Noah Brown and very impressive Rob Cox’s accelerated further with some great blows to give us a below par but defendable 84 for 8 off 20. Well Recovered Lads!!!!!

We would have to bowl and field tight if we had any hope. Firstly we had to find a keeper. 11 fielders all looked each other. “Who’s keeping” ?... as the first ball was about to be bowled..... Up Stepped Charlie Fuller ?‍♂‍.

Toddy and Rohan opened as usual and kept the run rate down which started to build pressure. Binfield u13 county batsman was looking good pushing singles And 2s. Step up our u13 county bowler. Ben Duxbury. Inside edge caught behind Fuller....?. Pressure building. Fred Fuller balls 3 tight overs. 38 for 2 off 12. We were turning the screw. The Binfield Birds had stopped singing. We replaced pace with Aadith’s Spin and a crucial steep long catch from Mani Singh was crucial to send the big hitter packing. Mani also took his Debut wicket Bowling. Aadith bowls another. Charlie takes off his Wicket keeping pads and I have to say I had no idea he was that good - sorry son but that was awesome keeping (2 byes and a catch). ❤️. He and Mani bowl tight at the end as Fred Fuller shows he’s not to be out done by his brother and keeps very well too but step up Zach Sullivan for the final over. What a hero. To bowl at the death under such pressure is not easy but what broad shoulders to carry the team home.

Guys - Hope you all learnt something from today. You all contributed again you are a great team that fights for each other and deserves the success you are getting. Thanks ?. Big thank to Mahesh for Scoring and Vivaan for being our 11th man. Vivaan your saves on the field were the difference between winning and loosing tonight. Having 11 team mates playing and no less is so important.