Ashford U9s lose by 34 runs

Richmond won the toss and elected to field.
Ashford CC 304 for 12 off 20 overs - net runs 256
Richmond CC: 322 for 8 off 20 overs - net runs = 290
Richmond win by 32 runs. 

On the road for the second win running, Ashford U9s headed over to the Old Deer Park ground to play Richmond CC early Sunday morning. We were pleased to welcome back Wenura Ranathunga, who stepped up as a late replacement for the team of 10.

Asked to bat by Richmond, Wenura and Rohan R opened up for Ashford against a good opening bowling attack. Both batsmen hit a boundary and were not out after their 4 overs at the crease for a partnership worth 15. The next pairing of Para (captain on the day) and Eessaa added 29 runs for the loss of only 1 wicket - Paras hitting 3 fours as well as clearing the boundary for six. The middle-order batting pair of Morgan and Jackson showed that they are developing a good understanding between them as they looked to steal singles and rotate the strike. Seb and Rohan suffered from a set of overs that featured little to hit but many wides, the extras pushing the team's total up to 256. Our final pairing of Sajeev and Aryan showed good intent to add what runs they could but a couple of unnecessary run-outs pinned back the Ashford innings to finish on 256.

On a smaller oval with relatively shorter boundaries to the previous week's game, the team knew that their fielding would play a key role - stopping boundaries and avoiding unnecessary and costly runs through over-throws. To a man the Ashford team stuck to their task in the field and the ground fielding was excellent - Paras, Morgan, Jackson, Seb all managed excellent dives and clean picks ups to save boundaries. Although opportunities for catches were few and far between, Paras held a good catch in the deep and both Wenura and Morgan made good efforts to get hands to difficult chances.

On the whole the Ashford bowling was good, conceding 16 fewer extras than our opponents. With more "playable" balls offered up, the Richmond batsmen had more chances to play shots and score - their last pair taking good advantage of this. But the Ashford seamers still beat the bat - Paras, Rohan R, Rohan B, Aryan, Wenura, Seb, Jackson and Sajeev taking a wicket each. Richmond only surpassed Ashford's total in the 15th over and the chance of recovering to win was only snuffed out by the arrival of Richmond's final pair in the 17th over.

The contest will resume again with Richmond next week when we welcome them to Short Lane on Sunday morning.