2020 is an exceptional year with any cricket a bonus in truth. Therefore it was an achievement to get to the final and a massive bonus for Beaconsfield to be able to host Ballingers the U13s Cup Final in hot Sept sunshine on a beautifully prepared wicket.

Beaconsfield lost the toss and Ballingers put us in. Monty and Alex batted very steadily, kept the scoreboard ticking over at 6 runs an over and both retired on 31. With a very solid platform Mattias and Freddie both came in with intent. Adam predicted Mattias would start dot, six, out, he was correct except for the six ! Freddie didn’t even bother with the two dots and was caught and bowled first ball. Ben and Thomas showed how it should be done and hit out, Ben hitting a quick 20 and Thomas 11. Sully and Rohan ran well to get us up to 130 off the 20 overs. A solid score in a Final, at just over a run a ball, where scoreboard pressure will always count.

The umpires thought it would be a close finish !

Mattias and Rohan bowled 4 beautiful opening overs (Mattias 1/3 and Rohan 1/7) followed by Ben (an amazing 3 wickets in two maidens) and Adam (0/13). Ballingers were 22/4 off 8 overs. Thomas then bowled two beautiful overs (3/3) ably supported by Freddie (0/7). This was a truly team effort with Monty 1/6 off one over, Sully 0/4 off two overs and Jayan 0/8 off his two. It was left to Jake to take his second and the final wicket (2/9 off 2 overs) to give Beaconsfield a comprehensive 67 win victory.

The bowling was exceptional from all 10 bowlers but if anything was probably overshadowed by the fielding. Beaconsfield were focused from the first ball, Alex kept wicket immaculately throughout, the throwing at the stumps was excellent (particular mention must go to Rohan for a run out throw from the boundary) and the catching very good – two great catches from Monty. The former England coach Trevor Bayliss said you can just a teams spirit from the fielding performance and this Beaconsfield side certainly showed their true colours in the final.

Special thanks to our umpires on the day - Hugh Suter and Ed Page, who kindly said some encouraging words to all that played, highlighting special performances from Freddie (Ballingers) and Rohan (Beaconsfield).

A big thanks also to other members of the squad who played in earlier matches, Krish, Luke, Balraj and Freddie E without whom we would not have got to the final. All have trained hard at our 9 am Sunday training sessions.

It was also fitting for Michele Taylor to score the final. Both Michele and Martin are stepping down from the Colts Committee although will still be involved in the club. Their time, effort, hard work and support has made cricket possible this year and ultimately have made results like possible. Thank you from all the colts !

Looking forward to a more “normal” season in 2021 already when the U13s trophy will pride of place in the clubhouse.