Irby Cricket Club Junior Match Reports

U11 Match Reports

First game of the season and away to CBH. Cold and windy, CBH were put in
to bat. Dan took two wickets, and after 20 overs CBH had 241 on the board. A
really tight game ensued, with Irby requiring 26 from the last 30 balls.
Talk about a nailbiter! Luke and Lucas went in went in and brought the score
steadily down, with one ball to go the scores were level. Luke was on
strike and he hammered a ball out, Irby win first match. A close one. Report by
Luke.

Second game and were at home. A cloudy but ok day. Irby win the toss and
put BP into bat. Bowling figures Matthew J took two wickets, Luke taking
three. BP all out for 211. In reply Alex and Paul 15 - 2, Matthew and James 27
-1, Patrick and Matthew J 29 - 1, Dan and Jake 26 - 0, Luke and Lucas 31 -
0. Irby total 312. Another victory.

Third match of the season and a hot day down at Irby. BP put into bat, and
after tight bowling only a couple of wickets had fallen. BP score 300, Irby
on the chase. Alex and Paul 24 - 1, Patrick and Matthew U 14 -1, Matthew J
and Jake 18 -1, Dan and Sam 14 -1, Luke and Lucas 29 -3. Irby lose by 29
runs.

Ninth game v Upton

One of the big local derbies, and after last years match, this really was a
"big game". On what quite easily has been the hottest day of the year,
with the temp hitting 30 by 11 o'clock, the game was on!
Upton won the toss and elected to bat, with Irby determined to keep a tight
field and not give anything away. Such was the Irby commitment, only 2
wides and 3 balls were given in all 20 overs. After the best fielding seen
this season, with great throw in's. backing up, and true Irby spirit, Upton
finished on 233. Their score of 261 reduced with the taking of 7 wickets.
The temperature increased, and on the burnt front pitch, Irby went out to
bat. Some good fielding by Upton initially kept the score down, but with
Irbys' last pair to go in, the home score stood at 248 after adjustment. In
true test match style, Irby kept the ball down, and Upton couldn't take the
wickets they so desperately needed.
A superb 7th win of the season, and one local derby scalp taken. Well done
boys, keep it up!

Alex & Matt 6-1 Paul & Lucas 25-4 Danny & Sam 25-1 Jazz & Patrick 17-0
Luke & Jake 9-1

(The concept of choc ices certainly seems to have lifted the boys fielding
game, will it be Magnums by the end of the season?)

Re-arranged Game - Wirral

With the season drawing to an exiting close, this rearranged game took
place on the back pitch as Wirral were short of pitches. Thus, what was an away
match became a home venue. Wirral went in to bat and Irby put on a bowling
display that was probably the best of the season so far.
Wirral finished their innings on 181, with joe taking 4 wickets in a row,
and the large visiting crowd subdued to a murmour.
Refreshments were appreciated, although there were some complaints that
there wasn't any ice!

Irby went into bat, with stand in David as umpire, reliving those bygone
days on the field, thank you David. Wirral showed good skill in the field,
but Irby went on to score 292. Some wickets fell, and silly running out cost
runs, perhaps a lack of concentration as the ice creams never materialized
this week.

Dan cost his Dad money as his box, already held together with tape, took a
direct hit and is now beyond repair!! As the sun came out on a beautiful
evening, Irby won another match, with two to play.

Well done boys, looking forward to the next game, another derby!!!!

Tenth Game - Caldy

You can have your cake...and eat it!
Tenth game of the season and another local derby, this time Caldy. With
outside caterers sourced to make some fantastic Irby cakes with players
initials, and some for Caldy as well, this was a special match in the making.The
atmosphere was tense, a reflection of the weather, which was threatening to
rain all morning. Caldy won the toss, and elected to field, making the
Irby boys bat without the knowledge of the target or how good the opposition
were.
After a good start by Matt and Matt, the score on 221, Caldy then closed
in, and kept the run rate low. After losing only three wickets, Irby finished
on 271 after adjustment. Following recent performances was this enough,
this would be a very tight game?
With Damien scoring, and many parents present, an awesome performance saw
the Caldy run rate kept low. Everyone fielded exceptionally well, with some
superb catches by Dan and Jake. (Jakes new pink gloves caused the scorer a
few initial moments with their brightness until sunglasses were provided).
With some very tight bowling, and superb all round team efforts, Caldy
finished on 201, after wicket adjustment. A win with 69 runs clear on the board
meant another scalp taken, and the champagne flowed freely at the end of a
pulsating game.
The special cakes were eaten with delight, and a superb win capped off the
last home game of what has been a remarkable season.
Well done boys, Oxton next!

V Oxton away, who were undefeated all season.
The word "Kamikaze" springs to mind. Irby lost the toss and went into bat
on what can only be described as a undulating sponge pudding way past its
sell by date of a wicket.
After losing 15 wickets!, 212 was the final score, the kamikaze runners
giving away many silly run outs to Oxton to virtually hand them the match
before they had batted. Well done to Luke and Patrick, the only players not to
lose a wicket.
There were one or two distractions however, which may have contributed to
the Irby demise?

The close proximity of the tennis courts seemed a never ending distraction
to some players, whilst the away support, swelled greatly in anticipation
of a victory, were continually mesmerised by the young jogger who helped
boost morale as she glided past! A brief squabble broke out as to who would
give mouth to mouth resuscitation should she fall over.... but it wasn't to
be.

The Irby fielding was good, but not quite tight enough. Five chances went,
and one Oxton batsman thumped out 33 in his innings. The spirit of Irby was
still burning, and eleven wickets were taken, a tremendous effort. This
game could have been won, and lessons were learn't for the next season. A
massive Thank You to all who came to support.

Bowling figs.

Luke 2-14
Pat 1-7
Dan 2-18
Matt J 2-3
Matt u 0-18
James 0-11
Jazz 1-1
Paul 1-8
Sam 0-16

Batting Figs.

Matt J 11-1
Matt u 2-2
Paul 5-1
Pat 5
Dan 3-2
Sam 1-3
Luke 11
Jake 6-1
James 11-3
Jazz 3-2