Throughout this season, we've endeavoured to keep our members and followers up to date with all the latest goings on in and around the recreational cricket scene in Middlesex. For the last of these updates, the remarkable achievements of Richmond Cricket Club's Under 13 Boys side is the focus, who at Lord's a little over a week ago, became national champions.
We can think of no one better to do justice to this feat when putting it into writing, than Chris Goldie, Richmond's long-standing Chair, who penned the following proud report for the Richmond website. Our thanks go to Chris for the following:
As the shadows of the Compton and Edrich Stands began to cover the Lord’s Nursery Ground, with 29 balls remaining and 3 wickets in hand, Natan Sakar played a lofted drive over extra-cover to secure victory and the title of National Champions for Richmond’s Boys Under 13’s. It was a glorious moment for every Richmond supporter and most of all for the players who, after 11 matches, had achieved what no other Richmond side has ever done before and won a National title.
The Final began with Dorridge winning the toss and electing to bat, perhaps hoping to repeat the earlier triumph of their club’s Under 15’s earlier in the day over Esher. It was not a decision that our boys were unhappy with as we would have chosen to bowl first. George Speers took a wicket in his first over and when Charlie Durling dismissed the Dorridge captain, Longworth, in the 5th over, with the score on 21, Richmond seemed well in command through good bowling and excellent ground fielding. It was not until the 8th over when Dorridge recorded their first boundary, a fine edge past, the keeper, but the score was mounting and wickets were proving hard to come by. After 13 overs, our opponents had reached 66 for 2 and a total of more than 100 seemed likely.
However Richmond’s captain Sam Bowles came on to bowl the 14th over. Off the fourth ball, Evans had to retire on 30 (as per the competition rules). The next ball a chance went down but Abid tried again and this time Tom Verwey took the catch. Two new batters at the crease and a chance for Richmond to squeeze the opposition. Off the second ball of the 15th over, Bowles stepped up again to effect a run out. 69 for 2 was now 71 for 4 (in reality 5). The runs dried up. Charlie Durling returned to take the 5th wicket. 75 for 5. Another tight over from Bowles conceded just 4 before Durling took his 3rd, Bowles again in the action with a catch. However Durling hurt his arm, taking a tumble and so Toby Tijerina had to complete the last 2 balls. Going into the last over Dorridge were 87 for 6. The skipper kept it tight conceding just 8 leaving us a target of 96 for national glory. All in all, this was an excellent performance with the ball although 12 wides, mostly in the first 10 overs, was more than we might have wanted.
Our reply started badly with Tijerina run out at the start of the second over and Theo Kistruck bowled in the 4th. 12 for 2 and work to do. However George Speers remained calm and with the captain Bowles, got us back on track. Cautious at first, the pair added 27 before Bowles walked for a faint edge. When Tom Verwey, having been a star with the bat, in the semi-final, was bowled first ball to leave us 42 for 4 in the 9th over, Richmond’s supporters were fearing the worst but Jamie Human joined Speers to add 14 valuable runs. Human was then bowled but in came Seb Wright. He and Speers took the score to 74 with the 11th over going for 15 runs. This forced Dorridge to go back to their opening bowlers earlier than they might have wanted. On 29, Speers rightly tried to hit one final boundary before being forced to retire, was bowled. However, Richmond struck back as Wright hit two commanding fours to leave us needing just 13 off 7 overs.
However we were 6 down and when Wright was caught with 12 still needed and just three wickets left, it was getting tense. Nathan Farquharson and Natan Sakar ran well, the target got ever closer. With 9 required, the pair went for a quick single, the fielder shied at the stumps. A direct hit would have resulted in a wicket but this was to be Richmond’s day. The ball missed the stumps and went for 4 overthrows. Just 4 were required and two balls into the 16th over, Sakar hit the winning boundary and, after 11 matches, Richmond were champions! Cue scenes of great celebration from players and spectators alike. This was a triumph not only for the boys and the club but for all parents involved and for the Age Group Managers, led by Keith Human, whose commitment to this squad has been superb all summer. This was a hugely important day in Richmond’s history and one that bodes well for our future. Well done to all concerned!
Chris Goldie – Chair, Richmond Cricket Club
