U11s Off to a Winning Start

GREAT MELTON U11s beat BRADENHAM U11s by 62 runs at Melton Park in the Terry Moore Trophy

After 3 call-offs because of the inability of the opposition to raise teams, Melton's junior Alliance campaign finally got underway at windswept Melton Park and the Under 11s made it a winning start with a 62-run victory over Bradenham.  With most of last year's successful U11s moving up to the U13s it was a chance for manager Clive Gristwood and coach Steve Phoenix to have a first look at some of the emerging talent and the boys didn't disappoint.

Having been asked to bat first Melton totalled 322-4, a net score of 302.  After a steady opening partnership of 23 by Pat Walton (3) and Matt Carter (2 not out), Finlay Hughes (12) and Ezra Leverett (10 not out) took the score to 263-2. James Carter (0 not out) and Michael Baker (3) profited from some wides and no-balls to add a further 20 before some excellent batting from Saxon Earley (24 not out) and Olly Leinster (3) plundered 39 off the last 4 overs. L.Henderson (2-0-10-1) and J.Watts (2-0-14-1) were the best of the Bradenham bowlers.

With Melton's bowling and fielding of a higher standard than that of the visitors, Bradenham never really threatened Melton's total, despite some good shots from J.Taylor (7) and L.Watts (8).  Finlay Hughes bowled an excellent spell of 3-0-8-1, Ezra Leverett (2-0-10-1) and Patrick Walton (2-0-6-1) grabbed a wicket apiece and James Carter (3-0-13-0) bowled well without much luck but the pick of the bowlers was Olly Leinster who marked an impressive debut with figures of 2-0-4-2.  Norfolk U10s wicket-keeper, Saxon Earley, also showed why he's in the County team with some superb leg-side takes to go with his impressive batting.

It was a good start for the new U11s but, with a squad of over 30, some other players will be tried over the next few games before an idea of the ‘strongest team' will begin to emerge.

Steve Phoenix