Ricky win last ball thiller against West Herts U14

The makeshift opening pair of Jack Lee and Jiwan Soar started steadily enough before Jack was bowled for 7 and then Anaru went 2 balls later to leave Ricky 16/2 after 6. However Jiwan was just finding his range and with Owen Blackwell proceeded to build a secure foundation. Alternating 5 run and 10 run overs, both boys found the gap and Jiwan in particular played some sumptuous offside drives off the back foot. The next 9 overs brought 54 runs at a run a ball before Jiwan had to retire on 52. This included 10 boundaries. Owen then stepped up the pace before getting out for a well crafted 20, and by that time Ricky were on 86 with 2.5 overs to go. In the final push for the 100, Charlie Green was bowled for 1, but Conor and Karan both hit boundaries to take 11 off the final over and post 98/4.

Jack Lee produced a wonderfully miserly spell of 1-10 in 4 overs and with Karan also getting a wicket, West Herts started almost too slowly. Anaru got taken for 12 off his first over, but captain Owen was brave enough to keep him on and his next 2 overs produced 2-9 as he removed the dangerous Ben (27) and Liam (12). After 10 overs WHCC needed 55 off 60 balls to win.

Arsh (19) and Thomas (11) both pushed the ball around for 5 singles an over and with 4 overs (24 balls) to go, only 20 was required to win. Joseph Monk and Scott Jackson both bowled tidily, as did Benedict Morettoand in their 6 overs not one boundary was conceeded.

Leg spinner Anaru was brought back, his final over only went for 3, and the crowd were quietened. Still 15 runs needed off 3 overs. And plenty of wickets in hand. When Karan bowled the penultimate over and took a stunning return catch to dismiss Thomas, the dangerous Zubeer, who scored 32* in his last game came out, but he couldnt lay a bat on any of Karan's last 3 balls except a 2 off the last.

The final over. And Owen chooses Charlie to bowl it - left arm quick. 9 to win. A couple of boundaries and its all over. But Charlie proves unplayable. He tidies up Arsh for 19 off his third ball. Now its 9 needed off 3 balls. But a hopeless swipe by Ralph is misjudged by the mid wicket boundary and goes through his legs for 4. A boundary will tie the game. But Charlie bowls two beauties, the final ball going for a single and the Ricky celebrations could begin.

MOM - Jiwan Soar. Our first Junior 50 since Tahir in the U9's.

Well done to all the boys. 2/2 this week and next week we take on Langlebury at home on Monday.