On 2nd May 2016 Leicester City won the Premier League in a shock that dumbfounded the football world. At 5,000 to 1 the odds were the same as Elvis being found alive that year. It was the biggest upset since David beat Goliath…..…well, until now!

On a gloriously sunny morning with the stunning backdrop of Box Hill, eight gallant Epsom U11 boys took on a the full complement of 11 from one of the strongest cricket clubs in the region, Dorking. Outnumbered to such a degree it was meant to be lambs to the slaughter but with determination and fabulous support for on another our eight lads came through.

Dorking won the toss and scenting blood inserted Epsom. They wanted a quick kill. But spirit and talent does not lie down that easily.

Alexander and Jamie opened the batting with Alexander hitting some lovely shots but when attempting to hit over the top was caught by a swallow diving mid-on who had no right to catch it. It was an extraordinary dismissal. Jamie and Luca continued to knock the ball round well but fell to identical run outs. Both attempted runs when the wicketkeeper missed the ball but didn’t appreciate that the backstop was lurking menacingly behind! They will learn. Rory then appeared on the scene and began to up the tempo with some solid hitting. Jack showed bravery when hit on the head by a beamer from Dorking’s fastest bowler and then carved out an outstanding innings of 24. The control shown on one cover drive in particular was lovely. Nathan also showed skill in his innings of 15 working the fielders well. He was unlucky to be bowled by a grubber. Epsom could not afford to lose wickets and therefore both Will and Josh can consider themselves unlucky that their cameo performances were all too brief. Both finished 1 not out. They can take great pride that the side was not bowled out. With a competitive score of 119 for 6 Epsom could take to the field with optimism.

We knew that our team is packed throughout with talented bowlers. The issue was that with only 6 fielders (other than the wicketkeeper and bowler) our field had more holes than a large Emmenthal cheese! However, when Dorking bowled they conceded far too many wides and no balls and we knew that if we could keep it tight that we would be in with a chance. And wow, did the boys deliver!

Captain Jamie decided to use the firepower of Alexander and Rory for the first six overs. Both performed brilliantly, keeping the runs down against an exceptionally good Dorking opener. With a well worked run out and Rory picking up two deserved wickets the opening bowlers laid the platform for the first and second change bowlers to be the blotting paper and the runs dried up. Jamie bowled straight and was rewarded by hitting the stumps when the batsman tried to attack. Nathan’s over before he became wicketkeeper in the 11th over was accurate and the batsman found it difficult to hit Josh. Will bowled three very economical overs. The four bowlers in the middle kept the runs down heaping pressure on the Dorking batsmen. We knew that we still had Jack and Luca to come. Luca was on the money from the off hitting the stumps with his first delivery. He continued to bowl straight and finished with great figures of 3 for 13. Jack’s radar was initially a little off target but once re-tuned he showed fantastic control in the face of great pressure and an excited home crowd. With 17 needed of the final over the field stayed in seeking more wickets but a four of the first ball of the over then scattered the boys out far and wide to protect the boundaries with Rory taking care of the rest. Dorking came up 8 runs short at 111 for 7.

The lads can be immensely proud of what they achieved. We are lucky to have a bunch of talented cricketers but the most pleasing aspect was the support that they gave each other and the enjoyment they clearly get from playing the game. There are always things that can be worked on and improved so in this respect we need to ensure that we call loudly when batting, the non-striker needs to back up more, we must back up throws in the field and remember that the ball is not dead until in the wicketkeepers hand or returned to the bowler. But hey, these are small gripes.

Roll on the next match when hopefully we will have a full team. Well done boys, you were all great.

Epsom CC 119-6 (Alexander T 10, Jack U 24, Nathan E 15)
Dorking CC 111-7 (Alex T 1-21, Rory M 2-17, Nathan E 0-5, Josh W 0-10, Jamie C 1-11, Will H 0-12, Jack U 0-21 & Lucas M 3-13)
Epsom CC U11s won by 8 runs.