U-15s Reach Last Eight Nationally
Wednesday the 5th of August saw the ECB U15 National Club Cricket Championship North Regional Semis and Final. The four teams who had qualified were Warrington (Cheshire), Studley Royal (Yorkshire), Apperknowle (Derbyshire) and Tynemouth (Northumberland). The Semis were played at York CC and Clifton Alliance CC. Apperknowle played Warrington and Tynemouth played Studley Royal.
Studley skipper George Lamb won the toss and opted to bat. Nick Kimber and Ed Robinson went in and put on 22 before Kimber was run out on 16. Robinson went on to 20 before being caught off Lonnberg. The Lamb brother contributed another 11 runs before Angus Shaw looked to be getting established hitting 18 off 13 balls before running himself out. Rob Lowe fell cheaply and Elliot Oates went on 9 caught off Clark. Big Joe Ainscough then contributed 16 off 14 balls and Simon Evans was left with him not out for 4. The innings total of 102 off the 20 overs looked to be on the low side.
Ainscough opened the blowing for Studley with Evans and they restricted Tynemouth to 24 off their 8 overs. Stenhouse fell to a trade mark close catch by Kimber in Ainscough’s third over. Evans bowled 2 maidens going for only 10 runs off his 4 overs. Ainscough took 1 for 11 off his 4 overs with 1 wicket maiden. Shaw and George Lamb then came on with Shaw removing Straughan for 13 caught by George Lamb and returning figures of 1 for 20 off his 4 overs. George Lamb took no wickets for 17 off 3 overs. Lowe and Kimber then entered the attack with Tynemouth on 65 off 15 overs. Lowe took 2 for 19 off 3 and Kimber 1 for 16 off 2. The leadership shown by George Lamb and Shaw with Tynemouth needing only 6 runs to win off the last over was fantastic. Lowe, holding his nerve very well, bowled a cracking last over which went for only 4 runs and contained a brilliant stumping by U-12 wicket keeper George Foster. Studley won by 1 run and were into the ECB U15 National Club Cricket Championship North Regional Final against Warrington who had beaten Apperknowle convincingly.
The achievement of this Studley side to win through from nearly 1800 teams nationally to the last 8 must be stressed. No Nidderdale league side has ever gone this far in the competition and now Studley were faced with a Warrington side that had won the Cheshire Cup and had already beaten the Lancashire Cup holders in the County Playoff Round. Warrington with a population of 194,000 vs. Studley Royal, Ripon with a population of 15,922!
After only a half hour break Studley skipper George Lamb went out for the toss and won opting again to bat. In went Kimber and Robinson. Robinson fell to a brilliant Yorker from Chadderton for 5 in the third over and George Lamb fell for a duck in the fourth. Elliott Oates went in and steadied the innings. Kimber retired with a fine 50 off 52 balls. Shaw contributed 4 before being out LBW and Ainscough was forced to retire hurt on 7 off 5 balls. Rob Lowe contributed 5 and was not out with Oates who made 29 off 45 balls. The Studley total of 111 fell short of the 125 that the coach, manager and supporters had hoped for on what was obviously a good batting wicket.
The sides turned round and things could not have started better for Studley with Ainscough, bowling at half pace due to a muscle strain, removing opener Corcoran for nothing in the first over. Evans and Ainscough restricted Warrington to 25 for 1 off 5 overs before the Studley spinners came on. It was not to be their day with George Lamb going for 23 off his 4 overs. Rob Lowe took 1 for 14 off 3 and Evans coming back on took 1 for 26 off 4. With two overs to go Warrington needed 2 to win and a miracle was needed when Shaw took the ball for his fourth over. Things started well with two dot balls but the dream was dashed and with a huge 6 from Regan the game was lost and Warrington were the ECB U15 Northern Champions for 2009.
Robert Sowray who introduced most of this years Studley U15s to cricket when they started off in his Tykes was at York to watch and spoke to them in the changing room after the Final. He spoke for all those who have managed, coached, scored, supported and generally been involved with this years U15s in saying how proud everyone was of this side and our junior section generally. This side was chosen from a squad of great depth and character whom those that have watched hope to see go on and develop their game as U17s and as Seniors over the coming years. The younger members of the team I am sure will be back and will want to emulate the success of George Lambs 2009 U15s over the next few years. It is tantalizing to think that Josh Crewe has two more years at this age level and that Harry Lamb, George Foster, Will Shaw and Tom Bailey will still be playing at this age level in three years time.
Our Junior club sponsor Geoff Holroyd of Ripon Timber who watched both matches was also full of praise for the lads and we are lucky as a club to have such a generous supporter. Hopefully Geoff will have plenty more opportunities to watch Ripon Timber sponsored Studley junior teams progressing in national competitions over the coming years.
Those that have played for Studley in the 2009 ECB U15 National Club Cricket Championship are as follows:
George Lamb (Captain) U15
Angus Shaw (Vice Captain) U15
Ben Coad U15
Nick Kimber U15
Ed Robinson U15
Joe Ainscough U15
Rob Lowe U15
Nick Stuart U15
Elliott Oates U14
Simon Evans U14
Ben Nabarro U14
Scott Thompson (Keeper) U14
Josh Crewe U13
Harry Lamb U12
George Foster (Keeper) U12
Will Shaw U12
Tom Bailey U12
The U15s have two more matches this season both of which will be played on the 6th of September. 10.00am sees the Final of the Bob Mellor Cup at Knaresborough Forrest CC and then the afternoon the North section vs South section Nidderdale League U-15 Playoff Final which will be played at Studley Royal. Both matches are against Pannal A who like Studley have more than one side at this age group.