Sandford held the annual U15 Softball cricket tournament this year. Three schools entered, us, QE & St Peter’s. Our first game was against QE. We lost the toss in the first game and were forced to field first. Jack M took a first ball wicket and formed a strong start to the bowling with Bernie M and captain Miles C. Louis B kept exceptionally well, taking 5 catches in the game with a couple of exceptional grabs and a wicket of his own in the sixth over. Finn P came on to bowl our last over, in which Wides and no-balls were re-bowled and bowled very accurately, taking 2 wickets. Despite a particularly explosive batsman going on to retire, we limited them to 63 for 6 before batting. Jack M was victim to his own trick being bowled out first ball which made for an ominous start, but Louis B came in and started upping the run rate before retiring. Unfortunately, our other opener, Samuel R, also fell for a duck. Bernie M hit two sixes and Miles C helped THS over the line in the eighth over.
2nd game: After a victorious toss against long-standing rivals St Peters, we elected to bowl first. Jack M and Finn P started with two solid overs, before Bernie M took our first wicket in the third over. Louis B had another fantastic performance behind the stumps along with taking another wicket. George C took a great wicket, and we limited them to only 62. Jack M was skittled first ball for the second time with Louis B stepping up yet again to hit the rest of the over for 10. Ollie R hit a few singles before falling himself to an out swinger he edged through to the keeper. Louis B quickly notched up 16 before being bowled leaving Miles C and Bernie M at the crease. After an over that went for 17, we were well on the way to winning. Miles C retired and George C and Bernie M finish the job in the eight over, securing our first ever victory over St Peters. We have now qualified for the regional finals being held next week in Exeter. We look forward to a few more games, and creating memories as a team.
Match report written by Miles C.