New Forest played a major part in a hugely entertaining Natwest Ageas Bowl Indoor Under 16 cricket finals session at the Ageas bowl on Sunday.

In the first semi final they put League runners up Compton & Chandlers Ford CC into bat first.  Bowling was tighter than has been the case in many other games this season and although Compton got off to a flyer they were restricted to 135. Connor Tomkins (New Milton)  continued his excellent form finishing with 2 for 34 off his three overs.  The tighter bowling was exemplified by Campbell Golding (New Milton)  bowling 6 dot balls in his 2 overs. Ben Fisher (Redlynch and Hale) and Ned Thomas (Hyde) were the other wicket takers.

Batting wise we lost Campbell Golding early to an excellent catch but Ben Fisher pushed the scoring along partnered by Connor Tomkins (23) until he retired.  We lost Connor (23)  Rhys Wathen (Romsey and OTs)  (1) and Ned Thomas (6) quickly which brought Ben back to the wicket partnering Tom Reynolds (Redlynch and Hale), two lads who have batted together since they were under 9s.  They came together at 90. Batting  sensibly and not taking risks they knocked off the required runs with an over to spare.  Ben finished  on 37 not out and Tom 33 not out.

In the final against SE Hants New Forest batted first, remarkably for the first time all season. We lost wickets at regular intervals, Campbell (0), Ben (11), Rhys (6), Tom (0) and were in deep trouble at 60-4. That brought  Ned in to bat with Connor.   They knuckled down to produce a really excellent partnership getting us to 125. Conner was out for 38 and Ned finished on 41 not out. 

Not a massive total but one that didn't look likely at one stage and one that gave us something to bowl at.  We started well with Ben's first two overs only going for 6 runs in total - one would have been a wicket maiden had he not overstepped by 1cm.

SE stayed at, or fractionally  above, the rate with the occasional breaks put on them by the tightest bowling all season. Rhys' second over having 4 dot balls for example. 

However, New Forest couldn't quite get on top of the rate and with 4 balls left SE hit the winning runs, a deserved victory for a team undefeated all season. 

A terrific final played in a great spirit. 

Coach Ieuan Wathen said, "Well done to SE, they have had a fantastic season. I'm really pleased for the New Forest boys who started the season slowly but have been fantastic since Christmas. When we fail in some parts of the batting there is always someone to stand up and be counted. All of the boys, those playing tonight plus Bryn Wathen and Jamie Ball who have played at times have done brilliantly. "