Maximum points for New Forest U16 cricketers as they stretch their lead at the top.

 

New Forest U16s stretched their lead at the top of the Hampshire U16 Indoor Cricket League by picking up maximum points with comprehensive victories over Hook and then Compton and Chandlers Ford.

 

New Forest 163-3 beat Hook CC 86-6 by 77 runs

 

Batting first against last year's league winners New Forest started slowly and after a third of the innings the score stood at a modest 36-2. However the momentum began to build as Joshua Royan (50 no) cemented his position as the competitions leading run scorer by anchoring the innings to another half century. New Forest made hay from the midpoint with Joshua Bailey (33 no) and Sam Presland (29 no) both in fluent form and strong running saw the New Forest close on 163-3.

 

Captain Royan (2-0-2-2) was in no mood to let up with the ball and bowling fast, full and straight he trapped both the dangerous Wyatt and Campbell lbw with the first 2 balls of a double wicket maiden. Joshua Bailey (2-0-8-1) then got into the action in his first over with Toby Mills taking a catch to leave Hook struggling at 3-3. Further wickets for Daniel Bailey (2-0-16-1) and Toby Mills (2.2-0-35-1) ensured that the Hook chase would fall short. There was still time for the impressive Charlie Bland (34) to mount a rearguard action but the innings came to a close on 86 all out when Jack Harris took the bails off from Sam Presland's accurate throw in the 10th over.

 

New Forest 165-3 beat Compton & Chandlers Ford CC 56-6 by 109 runs

 

As in previous weeks New Forest again struggled with the quick turnaround for their second match of the evening. Batting first Sam Presland was well caught attempting to chip one over the top from Compton's standout bowler George Halfacre (3-0-23-1) and Daniel Bailey was very unfortunate to be run out without facing a ball. Joshua Royan (21) knuckled down before uncharacteristically playing around one from Leo Gamon. New Forest looked a little vulnerable but an in form Joshua Bailey (53no) counter attacked to his own half century and his second excellent knock of the evening, hitting five straight sixes in the process. Fine knocks by Toby Mills (28 no) and Jack Harris (25 no) proved to be the ideal support and the New Forest closed out the innings on 165-3 gaining maximum batting points in the process.

 

In response Compton and Chandlers Ford were pegged back by accurate New Forest bowling. The wickets were shared around with the opening pair of Royan (3-0-10-1) and Joshua Bailey (2-0-13-1) making the initial inroads. Daniel Bailey (1-0-6-1) and Toby Mills (1.5-0-19-1) then both added to their wicket tallies with Sam Presland (1-0-5-0) also proving impossible to get away. Inevitably scoreboard pressure lead to increasingly risky running and a couple of smart run outs saw Compton all out 56 in the 9th over. An excellent team performance from the New Forest boys with five of the six batsmen retiring at least once on the night and wickets for four of the five bowlers.

 

New Forest u16s - Back row - Daniel Bailey, Jack Harris, Joshua Bailey. Front row - Sam Presland, Josh Royan, Toby Mills