Under 13's
U13 Red Season Review 2008
This season was a roller coaster of anticipation, excitement, endeavour and disappointment. Only one game was lost all season, defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. This should not overshadow a year in which everyone who played developed, and proved that they could play the game and, perhaps more importantly, formed an integral part of a great team.
The year started with an intensive pre-season programme and my thanks go to Nicky and Ashley Thorpe, who attempted and succeeded on the majority of occasions, in sharing their knowledge, experience and cricketing skills with a (sometimes) thoroughly attentive audience. I would like to single Nathan out for his ability to remain focused during times of frivolity, and when the interest and attention of others may have waned.
During the season we were dependent on having a great squad of players to draw upon. This was needed for a number of reasons including holidays in Dubai, golf, injuries, county commitments and parents not informing players that they were not available. It was very encouraging to see younger players come into the team, and it is great that they will form part of the nucleus of the U13 team for next year. In Tom Dias and David Cook they have a potentially very good spin attack. Aidan Wood and Johnny McPhillips more than held their own with the bat and Alastair Matthews showed a good all round ability. 2009 provides a great opportunity for those boys, not to mention James Ruddick and the other players who come into next year’s U13 reds .
I will concentrate on the three games which, throughout the season, stood out and defined not only the year but also the potential of the players - Clydesdale, Wakefield and Ashington.
We were in the unfortunate position, for the first time, of having to play an extra deciding match against the Scottish qualifiers in the National Knock Out. However this proved to be no obstacle. The strength in depth of the team shone through in what I believe was a below par performance from the Clydesdale team. It is always difficult to travel away from home but it was good to welcome an enthusiastic Clydesdale team (with some very talented players) to South Northumberland.
On the day, stand-out performances came from Oliver Rankin who had the fantastic bowling figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 5 wickets for 8 runs, and Jack Jessop who crashed a quickfire 30. However it was not just the individuals but the shear intensity of the team performance which was apparent. Jack went on to score six maximums in the year and topped the batting averages with 47.8 scoring 239 runs.
The disappointment of the year came in the Oakham qualifier against Wakefield . Congratulations must go to Wakefield and especially their younger batsmen who took them over the line in the very last stages of the game. Even though we did not perform to our full potential throughout, and lost our form particularly in the final overs of the match, there were two phenomenal catches from Oliver Lawton, and the whole experience for the players can not be underestimated. Despite a less than perfect batting performance, we were on top after the first 12 overs of the second innings. Sadly our loss of form in the latter stages of the match proved to be our downfall.
In contrast, our match against Ashington was probably the highlight of the season. It is great to have skilful opponents who have passion, intensity and a desire and ability to win - all traits evident in Ashington teams across the board - whether it be the first team or the U13s. Again the strength in depth of the team showed. The opening spell of bowling by Otis Marston and Ed Robinson was accurate and swift, and removed some of Ashington’s top order very cheaply. Had this not occurred I’m sure the game would have been a much closer fought contest. With the pressure on, Oliver Young picked up 3 wickets for 6 runs in 4 overs, and Oliver Rankin picked up another 3 wickets. The batting had provided the base for the win, with Jack Jessop, Oliver Young and Ed Robinson all reaching the 30 mark. However, yet again, this was a good team performance, and the focus and intensity of the whole team was excellent.
The team ethic was fundamental throughout the season. Every player took responsibility at certain stages throughout the season. Patrick Hatcher, Adam Walker and Tom Jennings all performed well with bat and ball, showing poise and control. James Ruddick bravely kept wicket against what, at times, was erratic fast bowling, and always showed an eagerness to get to the batting crease. He faired only second on the chat front to Nathan - who is a natural.
It was great to have support throughout the season from the parents including Diane (the Controller) Lawton, Alison (Dubai, the new Embleton) Young, Graeme (the scientist, scoring is too hard except for Jim Dias who was 60 in the year in case anyone in the Northern Hemisphere did not know) Walker, Peter (the insider and only person in the County who knows if we won the league) Robinson and Alan (Stop shouting, get off the field and where have your nails gone) Jessop.
Thanks again must go to all those who have made South North the great place to play cricket that it is - John Dodds, Ian Gilthorpe, Clive Goatman, Roger Griffiths and the other younger Directors of the club.
It will be fantastic to see players from this season’s U13 reds progress to the First Team in the coming years.
Ian (Del Boy) Kelsall
Team Manager
U13 Blue Season Review
The first target was to secure a place in the Premier League which was duly achieved by securing 14 points from our 8 games,2 of which we won and 6 bonus points were accumulated for batting and bowling.
U13 Green Season Review
16 Fixtures – 11 games played
Won 7 (including 1 conceded)
Lost 5
Cancelled 4
There were lots of good games during the season and several were lost in the last over, often against more experienced teams. There were lots of outstanding contributions across the season and all the players gained in confidence as the season progressed. Bowling was usually very accurate and the batting consistent but the fielding stood out across almost every match and brought lots of run outs and catches.
26 players used over the season and the team primarily comprised U12’s and U11’s. 2 players played in 10 of the 11 games – Tom McBride and Alex Mackay.
Thanks to the support of all the parents and boys but particularly to Jim Dias and Robin Hodnett for their assistance in helping with the scoring and umpiring respectively.
Top run scorers
Tom McBride - 89 runs at an average of 10
Johnny McPhillips - 88 runs at an average of 44
Alastair Matthews - 87 runs at an average of 43.5
Alex Mackay - 78 runs at an average of 15.5
David Cook - 64 runs at an average of 21
Tom Dias - 59 runs at an average of 15
Top wicket takers
Alex Mackay - 7 wkts at an average of 10 runs per wicket
Matthew Walmsley - 6 wkts at an average of 10.5 runs per wicket
David Cook - 5 wkts at an average of 8 runs per wicket
Tom McBride - 5 wkts at an average of 12 runs per wicket
Fielding
Wicket Keepers
Johnny McPhillips – included 3 stumpings in a match
Tom Dias
Tom McBride
Catches
Alex Mackay – 4
Ajay Prakash – 3 – including the catch of the season a nonchalant 1 handed running!
Special thanks also to Nicky, Martin and all the other coaches at South North plus John for all his hard work preparing the pitches etc.
Jon Hatcher
2009 Summer Coaching
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Practice Days |
Match Days |
Timings |
U13 Coordinators |
Team Managers |
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Sundays |
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10.00 - 12.00 |
Martin Speight & Nicky Phillips |
Red - John Ruddick |
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Sundays |
10.00 - 12.00 |
Blue - Jon Hatcher |
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Tuesdays |
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18.00 - 19.30 |
Green - Stewart Davidson |
Wet Weather Groups
The Rota will work on an alternate bases with Group 1 going indoors the first time there is bad weather
To check if the session is indoors and which group can practice please call 0191 246 1745 and listen to the out going message