Ashford U9s lose close encounter by just 9 runs

Ashford CC: 225 off 20 overs
Indian Gymkhana: CC 234 off 20 overs - win by 9 runs

Ashford's U9s made the short trip to play Indian Gymkhana at Church Meadow on a bright, sunny Sunday morning. Ashford's captain on the day Rohan Regi called correctly at the toss and decided his team would bat first.

In a pairs game where Ashford's 10 faced the host's 12 players gaps in the field were always going to be hard to find for the Ashford batsmen. However, from the off captain Rohan cleared the ring of fielders to register a couple of boundaries. Johan Jacob also hit a boundary while Paras Tarun played several good shots in partnership with Rohan Bhogal to accumulate valuable runs. In between there was good running between the wickets from Aryan Rajan, Sajeev Saranvanan, Jackson Powell and Morgan Hayes to the make the most of extras on offer. Although more runs would have be welcomed, the Indian Gymkhana bowlers bowled well and straight so the Ashford batters showed due caution by defending their wicket to avoid conceding 4 runs for each dismissal, none more so than Eessaa Saeed. As result after their 20 overs the Short Laners had lost only 6 wickets and amassed a modest total of 225 (each team starts on 200 in pairs cricket).

At the break the team discussed the importance of working together as a team in the field and how taking catches can win matches. Once again, captain Rohan set an early example of the standard required with an excellent high catch off the bowling of Eessaa. Rohan soon followed that up with another catch off Aryan's bowling. Morgan picked up his first ever wicket by finding the batsman's inside-edge leading him to play the ball onto his stumps. Paras took the first of two of his catches off Seb's first over, by which point the Gymkhana innings was at its mid-point and led by just 8 runs.

Over the next couple of overs the home side built on their lead. However, a flurry of wickets during three tight overs bowled by Sajeev, Aryan and Seb led to a shift in momentum and the game began to swing back in favour of Ashford - the majority of the dismissals being run-outs thanks to some dodgy decision-making by the batsmen and calm, level-headed fielding. The last Indian Gymkhana batting pair faced a tense final four overs but a couple of well-struck boundaries, countered only by Paras's second catch this time off Jackson's bowling, proved too costly for Ashford. At the finish Ashford did well to claim 12 wickets during the Gymkhana innings but costly extras and perhaps a few missed opportunities (catches and a run out) were what denied the visitors a first win.

Debutants Morgan Hayes, Jackson Powell, Paras Kapoor, Eessaa Saeed, Rohan Bhogal and Aryan Rajan all took comfortably to the pairs cricket format, supported by Rohan Regi , Seb Newton, Sajeev Saranvanan and Johan Jacob who had the experience of playing matches last year. Captain on the day Rohan Regi led his teammates well as he deftly managed his bowling changes, with credit to the Ashford bowlers for the majority of them bowling with a straight arm.

In time, Ashford may look back on the game as one that got away. But as a first showing for the season there were many positives to take from the game, particularly the teamwork displayed by the boys.

Next week, the Under 9s travel to Richmond to take on their "A" team.