MATCH REPORTS
Junior BB v Sussex Martlets (Stonewall Park) – Wednesday 19 July (2pm), cancelled (player availability).
Junior BB v Hampshire Hoggets (Warnford) – Thursday 20 July (2pm)
Match lost by 10 runs. Hampshire Hoggets 235 all out (34.1), Junior BB 225-9 (35).
In a weather affected week, beautiful Warnford hosted the opening match of this year’s junior calendar and it produced a high scoring, tight finish. Hoggets fielded a strong team including opener Du Plessis (60) and Acheson-Gray (74) who ensured the platform for an imposing 235 total (6.7 per over). Wickets were shared around BB but the stand-out performance was from King’s Canterbury’s Henry Elliott (4-19 in 7 overs). Tom Dyas (2-51 / 7, Sutton Valence) and Will Pollington (2-17 / 3, Eastbourne) also contributed. BB remained in the hunt from the start. Openers Arthur Elliott (35, King’s) and Tom Dyas (44) blunted the Hoggets bowling. But as wickets steadily fell, Will Pollington (30) and the outstanding Jack Dyas (58*, Sutton Valence) managed to maintain sufficient tempo to leave an unlikely 18 needed from the last over. In the end it proved too much but, overall, the freedom of shots and willingness to chase big totals set the tone for batting during the whole week.
Also playing: Archie Brealey (King’s), Aska Kanai-Smith (King’s), Monty Tunnicliff (Sutton Valence), Matthew and Freddie Grierson-Rickford (both Sutton Valence), Felix Elliott (King’s).
Junior BB v Shepway Stragglers (Torry Hill) – Friday 21 July (2pm)
Match won by 3 wickets. Shepway Stragglers 144-9 (35). Junior BB 147-7 (29 overs).
Junior BB won a low-scoring, absorbing match – reversing last year’s result. The victory was set up by a superb opening spell by King’s paceman Henry Elliott (5-7 from 6 overs), among the best figures by a junior player in the history of Junior BB Week. With Tom Dyas (Sutton Valance) also taking 2-12 (in 3 overs) it left Stragglers reeling at 46-6. A patient fifty from guest player (Anderson) and some mid-order striking salvaged a defendable 144. Junior BB negotiated Torry Hill’s uncharacteristically tricky wicket despite losing 7 batsmen. Will Pollington’s measured 56 provided the backbone of its reply but decisive contributions from Harry Heming (17, Eastbourne & Kent Canterbury Academy), Nick Connor (15, King’s Canterbury) and Archie Brealey (10) made sure of things. Also playing: Arthur Elliott (King’s), Ben Sharp (King’s), Monty Tunnicliff (Sutton Valence), Matthew Grierson-Rickford (Sutton Valence). As in previous years, this is a useful fixture for its exposure to adult cricket, in the cradle setting of Torry Hill which looked as good as it has ever been, despite poor recent weather.
Junior BB v Sussex Martlets (Hurst) - Tuesday 26 July (1pm)
Match lost by 137 runs. Sussex Martlets 248-7 (35). Junior BB 111 all out (26.3).
In a revised 35 over format after Hamphire Hoggets withdrew from the planned T20 Triangular, a very strong Martlets side hosted the Junior BB at Hurst. Batting first they ran away at express-pace with Sussex Academy brothers Ben (85*) and Ollie Willsdon (33) putting on a century partnership in the first 13 overs. Despite the high-scoring which included 34 from Martlet’s Johnny Prior (son of former England cricketer Matthew Prior), Junior BB bowlers shared a steady flow of wickets. Ollie Shouksmith (2-30 / 7, Eastbourne) and Stan Weir (2-25 / 3) led the way with other wicket-takers including Freddie Evans (Tonbridge), James Schilder (Bishops Stortford), Matthew Grierson-Rickford (Sutton Valence). Junior BB stumbled early in reply losing 5 of their top six batters cheaply. Only Wilby Wood (23, Hurst) and Archie Brealy (28, King’s) and Freddie Evans (14) offered any real resistance. Also playing: Will Fleming (Eton), Henry and Barney Schilder (both Stowe). The result means that the Chris Snell Trophy is retained by the Martlets for the third successive year; and it is now three wins apiece between the sides since its inauguration in 2018.
Junior BB v Armadillos (Sheffield Park) – Wednesday 26 July (2pm)
Match lost by 8 wickets. Junior BB 226-8 (35 overs). Armadillos 228-2 (22.5).
Once again the result reversed last year’s equivalent fixture at Sheffield Park, this time with a thrilling Armadillos batting display which won the match by 8 wickets in the end. Junior BB themselves produced a pulsating run rate of 6.4 per over in setting a competitive 226-8. It was founded on Wilby Wood (Hurst) with a cleanly struck 44; and especially on superb debutant Felix Horsham-Holt (81, Eastbourne) whose imposing innings was one of the highlights of the week. Together they took the initiative in first stabilising things after a couple of early wickets; and then assaulting a succession of Armadillos bowlers with boundaries to all parts of the field. But it was the rapid response by Armadillos front four batsman who proved decisive, chasing at more than 10 runs per over to the target with each contributing evenly. Junior BB bowlers, who included another excellent debutant Jimmy Hall (Eastbourne), were unable to stem the flow of runs and it took just 22 overs to conclude. Also playing: Nick Connor (King’s), Will Pollington (Eastbourne), Archie Brealy (King’s), James Schilder (Bishops Stortford), Henry and Barney Schilder (Stowe), Matthew Grierson-Rickford (Sutton Valence), Will Fleming (Eton).
Junior BB v Chief’s XI (Marden) – Thursday 27 July (1130am), cancelled (rain).
