On Saturday we travelled to VOC for the last game of the regular season. It was a must win game to maintain our position at the top of the table. We had a good team talk about how much work we had put in over the pre-season and I told the kids that I believed they had improved tremendously and that they were ready to play their best cricket. We welcomed new girl Nikki Vroom to our team and had a good warm up. The kids looked sharp and focused. I dispensed my usual pre game advice of “Try your best, work as a team and support each other and most of all, have fun.” Captain Annemijn lost the toss and we were asked to bat first. We decided to open with the big hitters to try to get the runs flowing, however Floriaan (12 runs with 2 boundaries) and Jamieson (9 runs with 1 boundary) were faced with some excellent VOC bowling and found it difficult to score. Annemijn then strode to the crease and played a great Captains knock (21 runs with 3 boundaries). She showed maturity beyond her years scoring at least 1 run off every ball, placing good balls into gaps in the off side and punishing the loose balls. Twin brother Thomas (20 runs with 3 boundaries) was equally adept and they showed how easy it is to make runs with good backing up and calling (it must be a twins telepathy). Nikki (7 runs) showed great determination to not lose her wicket and pick up some valuable runs. Aryan (10 runs with 1 boundary) played some great drives and shared a good partnership with Oscar (12 runs with 1 boundary). Thom (14 runs with 2 boundaries) finished our innings in style. We made 116 runs for the loss of 5 wickets for a net score of 101. We knew that we would have to bowl and field well to defend our score on the small VOC ground. I am very pleased to report that the team had their best fielding performance of the year, taking a number of superb catches (too many for me to recall all of them). Oscar (3 wickets) was in peak form. Jamieson (2 wickets, 3 catches and a run out) was everywhere. Thom (2 wickets) was great. 1 wicket each for Floriaan, Nikki and Thomas. Aryan bowled fast and straight to keep the runs down, as did Annemijn (1 run out and a catch). VOC made 101 runs for the loss of 11 wickets for net score of 68. A very pleasing team win that leaves us 2 points ahead of Ajax who have a washed out game to replay. If Ajax win this game we will be on equal points and I assume the team with the highest quotient will go through to the finals after the holidays. So keep your eye on the KNCB site for results. VOC were good sports and great hosts, including cake and wine for visiting parents! Thanks again to parents for your continued support and encouragement. On Saturday we travelled to VOC for the last game of the regular season. It was a must win game to maintain our position at the top of the table. We had a good team talk about how much work we had put in over the pre-season and I told the kids that I believed they had improved tremendously and that they were ready to play their best cricket. We welcomed new girl Nikki Vroom to our team and had a good warm up. The kids looked sharp and focused. I dispensed my usual pre game advice of “Try your best, work as a team and support each other and most of all, have fun.” Captain Annemijn lost the toss and we were asked to bat first. We decided to open with the big hitters to try to get the runs flowing, however Floriaan (12 runs with 2 boundaries) and Jamieson (9 runs with 1 boundary) were faced with some excellent VOC bowling and found it difficult to score. Annemijn then strode to the crease and played a great Captains knock (21 runs with 3 boundaries). She showed maturity beyond her years scoring at least 1 run off every ball, placing good balls into gaps in the off side and punishing the loose balls. Twin brother Thomas (20 runs with 3 boundaries) was equally adept and they showed how easy it is to make runs with good backing up and calling (it must be a twins telepathy). Nikki (7 runs) showed great determination to not lose her wicket and pick up some valuable runs. Aryan (10 runs with 1 boundary) played some great drives and shared a good partnership with Oscar (12 runs with 1 boundary). Thom (14 runs with 2 boundaries) finished our innings in style. We made 116 runs for the loss of 5 wickets for a net score of 101. We knew that we would have to bowl and field well to defend our score on the small VOC ground. I am very pleased to report that the team had their best fielding performance of the year, taking a number of superb catches (too many for me to recall all of them). Oscar (3 wickets) was in peak form. Jamieson (2 wickets, 3 catches and a run out) was everywhere. Thom (2 wickets) was great. 1 wicket each for Floriaan, Nikki and Thomas. Aryan bowled fast and straight to keep the runs down, as did Annemijn (1 run out and a catch). VOC made 101 runs for the loss of 11 wickets for net score of 68. A very pleasing team win that leaves us 2 points ahead of Ajax who have a washed out game to replay. If Ajax win this game we will be on equal points and I assume the team with the highest quotient will go through to the finals after the holidays. So keep your eye on the KNCB site for results. VOC were good sports and great hosts, including cake and wine for visiting parents! Thanks again to parents for your continued support and encouragement.
VCC U10 finish the regular season with a great team win!
