Friday night at a packed out Berkhamsted and the first proper taste of summer warmth for the U15s this season. We were a well oiled machine for three quarters of this match, but it was the final quarter that crucially did for us.

Akein called correctly and elected to have a bat. A steady start was interrupted by the loss of Patrick. Akein was already into his flow and was joined by Aryan, and both dealt with the bowling expertly, dispatching the bad balls when they were presented. Akein (29 off 20 balls) was unfortunate to time a drive too sweetly and was well caught low at mid off. Aryan (31) continued to build a total and he too was unlucky to pick the wrong fielder, as he was held in the deep following a competent piece of fielding. It was largely left to Luke S (21) and Ayaan (10no) to get us to 134-5 by the end of our 20 overs.

The outfield was responsive and with the Berkhamsted slope we would need to be on point in the field to get this game over the line. What ensued was a superb bowling and fielding display for the first 10 overs of our opponent’s reply. An explosive start, saw Dylan K excel with a direct hit run out in the first over and he followed this up taking a calming catch in the second…4-2. The fielding in general was brilliant, with skipper Akein leading the way as, despite Berkhamsted’s best efforts, literally nothing got passed him at extra cover. Our bowling matched this in quality. Patrick (3-0-14-1) pitched the ball up and was rewarded with a deserved wicket, and the spin twins Aryan (3-0-12-1) and Akein (3-0-13-1) bowled with skill and guile. When Aryan took a horribly nerve jangling catch to leave Berkhamsted 37-4 by the end of the 9th over, Radlett were in the box seat. Unfortunately, our radars soon began to slip and the balls that were being hit to fielders were suddenly finding the gaps. When their key man retired it handed back the initiative to us, however this proved to be brief as their number 7 batted without panic to build a new partnership. With no wickets being taken and our extras count swelling, the run rate, which had at one point threatened to exceed 9, suddenly became more manageable for our hosts. We ended up sliding to defeat with two balls to spare. A fine effort from all the boys but their disappointment was clear to see come the post match cool down.

M.O.M. Two stands out and Dylan’s fielding is also worthy of special mention. Akein put in a true captain’s performance in all three disciplines, and it was only Aryan’s defying the years performance that could eclipse him. It’s Aryan’s today for his mature batting, deft control bowling and taking one of the finer catches you will see