Shenley Village Cricket Club

Shenley Village Cricket Club had three of their Colts teams representing them on semi-finals & finals day of the Hertfordshire County Cricket Association Junior Leagues on Sunday. Their Under 9s, Under 10s and Under 12s teams had gained their places by having played some outstanding cricket throughout the season - all three teams topping the tables in their respective qualifying groups.

On the day, it was Shenley’s U10s youngsters who came away with the spoils. On a searingly hot day at Knebworth Park, with the impressive Knebworth House as backdrop, they won their semi-final against Redbourn by 64 runs.

In the afternoon, a thrilling final between two well-matched teams finally saw Shenley Village narrowly squeeze out Berkhamsted to become Hertfordshire’s Under 10s champions.

Berkhamsted put Shenley in to bat and made significant in-roads against the opening pair of Alex and Albie, who uncharacteristically lost 5 wickets between them, leaving Shenley in the perilous position of 178 after just 4 overs. The Berkhamsted boys, sensing things might be beginning to go their way, bowled and fielded energetically. The following three pairs managed to improve matters slightly, but the heat of the afternoon was seemingly taking its toll and the innings closed on a weak-looking 214-8, Shenley’s lowest score of the season by some margin. Tyler top-scored for Shenley with 13, the only batsman to make double figures. Jack, the Berkhamsted captain, marshalled his troops with great enthusiasm, with his team applying constant pressure. There were 2 wickets apiece for Charlie and Ben, 1 for Jonathan and 3 run-outs.

Most of the sweltering spectators surely felt the game was all but over by the time Berkhamsted came in to bat. But not so the 8 boys from Shenley Village, who never gave up. The game became a nail-biting clash of bowling giants – Shenley’s opening bowler Lathan beginning with a wicket maiden and Hamza and Reuben following up to leave Berkhamsted’s first pair on 194-3 after their 4 overs. Harry and Charlie helped the batting cause by adding 13 runs without further loss of wickets but during the third partnership, Shenley grasped the initiative with two double-wicket overs – leaving Berkhamsted teetering on 190-7 after 12 overs - and game on!

The final pair of George and Jonathan arrived at the crease knowing they needed a few boundaries while keeping their wickets intact, if they were to win the game. However, Shenley’s nerve held strong, as a smart run-out and a magnificent catch from Albie meant that Berkhamsted’s efforts were not enough, their innings ending on 199-9.

For Shenley Village, the four strike bowlers took 6 clean-bowled wickets - Reuben taking 3 of these - ably backed up by Hamza, Lathan and Daniel, who also captained the side with a maturity beyond his years. There were terrific performances in the field from Tyler, Albie, Alex and Ali, who coped brilliantly despite the mounting tension and the draining heat. The disappointed Berkhamsted boys were gracious in defeat and both teams should be proud – this tight encounter being a fitting climax to the 2008 season for the U10s in Herts, with cricket of the highest standard played by both teams.