Under 11s are NSYCL Champions!

The Clanage was host to the top two sides from the North Somerset league, both undefeated, in what would be a replay of the 2016 final. After two weeks of pretty grim weather we were finally greeted to warm morning sunshine, overnight dew quickly dying off to reveal perfect playing conditions. Both captains were keen to field if they won the toss: Weston didn't hesitate to put Bedminster in when the coin fell in their favour. Olly and Harry were the first pair in for Bedminster, facing what was to prove Weston’s best bowlers, who were straight and full, giving very little away. While the lads scored steadily two wickets fell during this opening partnership, leaving the opening score unchanged after four overs. Brody and Jenson were next in, the pair running well between the wickets, the scoreboard gradually increasing even following the fall of the third wicket. David and Amber were next to the crease, playing with mature steady heads, presenting no chances to the Weston attack, gradually increasing the momentum of Bedminster’s innings. After 12 overs Bedminster had a net score of just 21 runs, and were in desperate need of some acceleration if they were to be able to pose a challenging total for the big-hitting Weston batting line up. George and Charlie arrived in the middle and changed the momentum of the game, Charlie scampering quick singles to get the stylish stroke-maker George on strike, who punished anything on the leg-side with pulls towards the boundary. The pair added 33 runs from their four overs, for the first time the Wizards were starting to look a little rattled, and when captain Dan and Billy walked out as the last pair the Bedminster faithful were starting to believe. Where Billy was trading in quick singles, the pair scampering like eager greyhounds between the stumps, Dan was dealing exclusively in boundaries. Weston’s bowling until this stage had been impeccably accurate, only four wide balls until the 20th over, but the wheels firmly came off in the final over, 3 wides and a no-ball leaving Bedminster with a score of 281 which was probably 10 runs or so above par, the coaches confident with the quality of their bowling attack that this was a defendable total. Bedminster started with the two-pronged Carter attack, Charlie first up bowling a beautiful line and length (something he promised after being spotted scoffing two doughnuts during the interval:)) and starting off with a maiden. Big sister was bowling well from the other end, a huge cheer erupting from the home fans when she claimed the first wicket of the innings with her last ball of the over. Not wanting to be outdone Charlie got his own scalp with the next ball, the pair continuing to bowl superbly, Weston with a net score of just one run after the first four overs. Dan and George were next to bowl, and while a few wides were conceded only a single run off the bat was scored, and when George struck in his second over Weston were languishing on a net score of zero after eight overs. It was make-or-break for the Wizards, two of their strongest batsmen arrived with clear instructions to start swinging the willow. Bedminster looked momentarily nervy as two consecutive boundaries were struck in the first of their overs, but from then on Billy and Harry gave them very little to hit: Harry bowling with trademark accuracy and Billy generating genuine pace from an almost stationary bowling approach. After 12 overs the Wizards were only at 210, now with a mountain to climb. Olly and Jenson sealed the tie for Bedminster in the next four, the pair bowling beautifully in tandem, taking a wicket a piece, Olly’s courtesy of a fantastic catch by Amber in the gully. Comedy fielding moment of the day had to be awarded to David behind the stumps, who managed to stop one delivery with his face rather than his hands: doesn't matter how you stop them, good work fella! All that was left was for Bedminster to finish off the last four overs, the highlight being a fantastic caught and bowled from Brody from a delivery that was really traveling. A comfortable 50 run win in the end: queue wild scenes of jubilation and celebration, Bedminster had retained the title!