Following a complete washout for nearly the whole of Hertfordshire on Saturday, Andy Vernon and his development team were clinging onto the hope of getting a game against Old Owens, and upon arrival there was nothing to stop this game, pitch perfect!
Captain for the day Fitzy was given an added task of being more vocal in the field as well as looking after a group of athletes on the pitch for 40 overs.
But first things first and Fitzy won the toss and chose to bat on a decent looking wicket.
Kappa and Pree were to open, and were punishing anything loose before the loss of Pree in the 5th over caused a collapse only the England Team could be proud of.
With Jack, Shane and Janiel, and eventually Kappa all going in a short space of time a big innings was needed, and this came in the form of first team skipper Smirnoff. After looking horrendously out of form all season he chose a Sunday game towards the end of the season to find some form……better planning needed next season I think!
Smirnoff duly carted the ball all over the ground, and begun to show his repertoire when completing a switch hit in the final over. The tail not really wagging as much as hanging around allowed Smirnoff to drag the team to a respectable 176.
Old Owens with a strong batting line up were able to take their time and see out the bowling of Dutchy and Pree early up, before looking to score more freely off Jack and Shane as the first change bowlers. But this is when the Development team showed glimpses of their future.
Jack bowling an immaculate line outside off forced their opener into ‘nicking’ one behind which was brilliantly taken by Fitzy standing up. He doesn’t even appeal loudly!
Then the Shane Millar show unfolded, no one could get him away, no one could score and apparently he was turning one or two as well!
In the space of his 8 overs Shane managed to take 5 key wickets and ripped the heart out of the oppositions batting line up. This was brilliant to watch and should catapult Shane to bigger and better things in the coming season! Well done!
Now with Shane bowled out, could Janiel, Pree and Jack finish off the job……oh yes very comfortably, especially after a ‘no foot’ rule was introduced by Dutchy the fielding levels went up 10 times and aided by some great catches and some great stops the pressure never relented and OE’s took another win with an ever improving youth set up!
Well done to all the lads who have played in any of the development games this season and also the league sides……the future really is orange….I mean bright!!
