It was a fascinating Saturday afternoon, although started with weather uncertainties seemingly unfit for cricket. However, it didn’t draw much attention as VCC U15 and the parents were glued on live stream inside the clubhouse till their senior team won the nail-biting T20 quarter final 60 kms away against Bloemendaal which actually was curtailed to a 6 overs match due to rain. Weather became kind enough at Voorburg around 15:00 hrs to start the U15 match when VCC skipper won the toss and elected to field first.
Tom and Alejo opened the bowling attack for VCC and Hermes started decently while scoring 20 runs in first 4 overs without loosing any wicket. Then Shirsak and Danial brought their score 28/4 in 8 overs by getting 2 wickets each where 3 were clean bowled and one was low caught & bowled. Then no. 4 batsman (Giezen) of Hermes started building the partnership and was getting their team out of the trouble. When it looked they could accelerate the score, Carlijn spoiled their intent with another bowled out and score became 93/5. Tail enders supported well to Giezen who was retired not out 65. Hermes innings was wrapped up with 159 in 29th over (opportunity for VCC’s improvement: 42 runs from wides and nos) while Shirsak got last two wickets and also a stunning run out at his own bowling end – finishing his spell 17 runs in 5.2 overs with 4 wickets.
Farhaan and Tom opened the innings for VCC and the target seemed easy considering their batting strength. Weather became more dry and sunny, but it didn’t provide much brightness to VCC side when top order batsmen started procession towards the pavilion bringing the score 8/0 to 30/5 due to some great deliveries and wicket-keeping by Hermes. While most of the spectators thought it’s going to be an abject surrender by VCC, Aldino and Shirsak thought otherwise. They built 82 run partnership with some great running and boundaries. While VCC was inching towards the target steadily, suddenly Aldino got out and brought back the energy of Hermes boys. VCC lost another two tail enders quickly bringing the total 122/8. It seemed near impossible – but last wicket partnership between Shirsak and Tanush with superb coordination brought the optimism returned again in VCC camp and the tally stood at the last over requiring 11 runs. Despite the well fought half-century, Shirsak couldn’t hold the fort at the end when his full stretch dive with desperation to get the strike went in vain. Finally the fantastic sport of cricket again won, while the result was not in favor of VCC today unlike last Monday’s match against VOC. But not the result, the big take away for VCC players are the learning which will hopefully shape them better going forward.
Post-match dinner provided by Mahmood family and supports from other parents like Sangeetha, Francis, Shibi, Richard and Tim on bar duty, scoring, umpiring made everything smooth and enjoyable. Presence and cheering by other parents made the evening very vibrant as well.
Scorecard
