Fletching Cricket Club

Due to a heavily waterlogged pitch we have had to cancel junior practice tonight (Thursday 21 August). Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Fletching Under 9s have had a very successful year winning every game played this year in their league, no mean feat as they had to battle against Lingfield, Cuckfield and Uckfield along the way. The games have been played using Barrington Rules which means that all the players get a bat and a bowl. This is obviously excellent experience for the boys, some of whom are 7 and 8 years of age.

Given the achievements of the squad, the club entered 2 teams into the Telecom Under 10 Trophy. This tournament is designed to bring the strongest clubs from the different regions of the county together to play the finals at Hove in early September. Last year we entered a young side and came 6th out of 8. Fletching is hoping to go one step further hoping that our recent experiences can only help to improve our performance this time around.

This year we had one squad playing at Glynde 2 weeks ago and they were very unfortunate to be beaten by Hellingly by 7 runs in their first game. Hellingly went on to win their other 2 games and therefore went onto book their place in the finals. The Fletching side won both of their remaining games but it was too late to have any effect on the game.

On Sunday 10^th August our other squad played in the southern region  and came up against a well drilled Preston Nomads team. Once again the number of dismissals that Fletching suffered had a real effect on their chances as they lost 4 wickets to Nomads one. This meant we had to work very hard to keep the score down. The game was very tight again and despite Archie Cooper taking a Nomads wicket with 1 ball to spare, Fletching could not quite win the game.

Fletching then played 3 other teams who they beat very well including a huge winning total of 120 runs against Nomads B.

Nomads only just won their qualification spot needing 4 to win off of the last ball against St Andrews Cricket  Club.

The Fletching squad genuinely deserved their place in the final and the Under 10s continue to train on a Thursday Evening until we have finished this tournament.

SQUAD – Jack Meacher

                  Jack Burkill

                  George Hervey

                  Charlie Harvey

                  Fergus Harris - Bunker

                  Ollie Bradley

                  Ollie Mann

                  Archie Cooper

                  Tom Atkin

Lingfield elected to bat after winning the toss and played a very
careful and conservative innings against an uncompromising Fletching

bowling attack Lingfield protected their wicket well and only 4 fell during their innings. Lingfield scored 20 off of the bat leaving Fletching a target of 235.

In the Fletching innings Lingfield bowled straight only conceding 18 extras and their fielding was exceptional. Fletching managed to score 95 runs with Ben McIntosh and Hector McLean hitting the ball very well. They did lose 8 wickets and going into the last pair, anything could have happened. Jack Bebb plyed fantastically to bring the Cup home, Fletching winning by 38 runs.

A great team effort gave Fletching a deserved victory and they go onto play in the TELECOM TROPHY. This involves a number of teams in the local area.

Fletching CC   v     Lingfield CC

Sunday 6^th July

Fletching 141

Cuckfield 35

After Ben (45) and Hector (15) had crafted on a total of 62 runs for the first pair, it was looking good for the Falcons. Good batting kept the number of wickets low (only 3 catches and no run outs!) with Arthur (19) and Charlie R (10) finishing the innings, leaving Cuckfield with a daunting total of 141.

Bowling was tight and fielding keen despite the ever increasing rainfall. Only 4 over throws - another Falcons record! A total of 12 wickets credited to Arthur (3) and Hector, Jack, William (2) but 33 wides and 9 no balls leaves room for improvement. Cuckfield were kept to a total of 35.

A good TEAM result.

Sunday 29^th June

Fletching 91

Lindfield A 51

Fletching batted first, posting a total of 111 after conceding 4 wickets. Highest individual score was Archie (19) but each pair contributed at least 10 runs with good partnerhips from Charlie H/Alex and Arthur/Charlie R contributing 18 runs each, setting Lindfield a target of 91.

The Falcons took a total of 11 wickets (Archie 4, William and Sam 2) and although conceded 30 wides and 5 no balls, kept Lindfield to a total of 51.