The second half of the season began with the meeting of Angstgegner Sparta. These were fearlessly resisted, but while fighting, it still led to another loss. But still: loss with a golden edge, because many positive moments and conclusions.
Sunday, June 15, marked the beginning of the second half of the season, even if it didn’t feel that way for U15 Blue after only three games played.
Still, the away game against Sparta was on the menu. The Sparta that made over 300 runs in the season opener on our own field. In which our team spent more time in the bushes looking for the 6’jes hit than … was dear to them. The Sparta that, against undisclosed other teams, had a run rate recorded nearly 14 runs per over(!). Yes that Sparta, which stands undefeated at the top of the table. You could call it a fear opponent. Not for U15 Blue!
A/B testing
After a delayed start to the home side’s credit, the choice was made to open the batting with an A/B test: Abhiram with Branko. Branko’s defensive play led to frustration in the field. Sparta stepped up “pressuring the batsman” to unseen levels, resulting in a quick end to this partnership after Branko was caught in the third over.
Abran successfully took over: midway through the innings, the milestone of 100 runs was reached (and also the psychologically important barrier of 101 runs, as that was the total score after 30 overs in that infamous 1st match). Unfortunately, not much later Abran was caught, but with a more than tidy score of 27 runs.
Partner fraternity
The unleashed Abhiram teamed up with his brother Rushi to form a new partner fraternity and now achieved his well-deserved 50 which was professional with helmet and bat in the air was celebrated. The brothers managed to find the boundary well, Rushi even with a 6 and Abhiram finally with eleven 4’s to go retired in the 23rd over smiling broadly with 62 runs behind his name. At that point 166/2. 
The following partnerships had somewhat more mixed success, but together the score was still raised to 196/5, thanks in part to a 4 off the bat and a strategic 4 byes by Audrey. This number of runs (almost double that of the first match) gave us satisfaction and even some hope at the start of the 2nd innings.
Catches could have won the match?
The score steadily increased with an average of just over 8 runs per over and the 100 run mark was reached exactly after 12 overs. A number of catching opportunities in 2nd and 3rd over among others provided exciting moments and also a direct hit by Abhiram who skewed the stumps from over 20 meters away, but unfortunately the batsman was in just a bit earlier. The steady scoring of the two the lumps openers was ended in the 14th over by a nice catch by Abhiram on bowling from Branko. The A/B test at batting now became an ABC’s out of the book!
Shortly thereafter, on reaching 50 runs off 56 balls, the opening batsman was replaced by the next hard-hitter. Despite a 6 and a couple of 4’s, the run rate dropped to about 6 runs in the succeeding overs. A tormented Reuben came to three dots and only four runs against in his second over. After the 17th over (131/1) they were only 6 runs ahead of our par score After the same number of overs!
Thundering ending
That those dormant hopes were unjustified was shown when in over 21 at a score of 159 (10 runs ahead of VCC) Jort struck in his 3rd over and this time Rushi took a nice catch to remove the best half of the partnership.
That taking a strong wicket does not always mean good news was quickly proved when the top scorer walked to the crease. Another 40 runs were needed for a win by Sparta and they needed only 17 balls to do so with 5 4’s and two 6’s by this game-breaker. Zayn, who had taken over the spot behind the stumps midway through the innings from Abran, did not have much to do. This was in contrast to fielders who had to go ball-searching in the bushes. A bright spot in the last over was Hridhaan, who managed to produce two dots.
Rising line
You could say that this is simply a lost match.
You could say that too many wides were bowled and too many catches were dropped.
Yet I see much more than that. Compared to the first meeting, the total number of runs has almost doubled. The run rate achieved is the highest achieved by U15 Blue this season (and also the highest achieved by any opponent against Sparta)! We saw the first half century. But above all, we saw a team that sees each other’s qualities, supports each other, gets better and better at each other and knows how to train for better results. On to the next showdown against Red and White!
https://matchcentre.kncb.nl/match/134453-7331219/scorecard/?period=3037059
