Good team performance in close defeat to Kidderminster U12s
After a one-sided loss to Barnt Green last week, Avoncroft bounced back with a much improved performance against Kidderminster on Sunday. Batting first on a wet wicket, Croft found things tough going early on, slipping to 9-3 before Louis Griffiths (5) and Matthew Athey (11) started the fightback. Ben Taylor and Kyle Shaw provided further impetus to the innings before Taylor was bowled for 14, leaving Shaw (14no) and Henry Jenkin (3no) to take Croft to a competitive score of 83-6 from their 20 overs.
Making the most of improved conditions, Kidderminster started brightly in reply, putting on 26 for the first wicket before Kyle Shaw bowled Jack Meese for 4. At the other end, Kidderminster captain Liam Jones was living dangerously, with several close chances mixed with powerful boundary shots. These near misses proved in the end to be the difference between the two teams, as Jones and Sam Shavrin (30no) took the visitors to the brink of victory. Croft refused to give up without a fight, and a superb over from Louis Griffiths culminated in the perfect ball to bowl Jones for 27. Kyle Shaw followed this up with a direct hit to run out Tom Powell but despite some accurate bowling, Kidderminster eventually got over the line with four overs remaining.
Avoncroft can take heart from a much improved performance, with contributions across the board. The commitment of everyone in the field was particularly pleasing, with the lads throwing themselves whole-heartedly into every half chance to save runs. The battling spirit showed in fighting back in both batting and bowling innings is a positive sign for the future and although the result on paper suggests a comfortable 5 wicket defeat, those watching will have seen a close game with little to choose from between the two sides.
Match Report by Paul Athey, 22/05/2017
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