So, with apologies for such a long delay, here is the match report for the U11C game against Orpington CC. On paper, it looked a pretty strong Beckenham C side, featuring several players who have gone on to feature and perform well for the As since.

We won the toss and elected to bat. The early pairs of Laura and Ellie, and Jake and Henry performed outstandingly well, with Ellie looking particularly strong in reaching 11 not out from 14 balls, including 2 boundaries, also retaining her continuing record of not yet having been out in any U11B or C games this season. Jake also remained not out - the only other Beckenham player to do so. After 10 overs, we had reached a very creditable 247 for the loss of just 3 wickets. At that point however, Orpington unveiled their "secret weapons"...

Two district bowlers then took centre stage, with only 6 runs scored off the bat in the following 6 overs, with Orpington and Bromley Bulldogs' Vihan taking 3 wickets in his first over. After 16 overs, Beckenham had dropped to 240 for 7, and despite some good rotation of strike, wickets continued to fall. Vihan finished his two overs with 5 wickets for 6 runs, and the final total was 238 for 10, setting Orpington 239 to win.

As the sides reversed and Orpington batted, early wickets and miserly bowling - only 6 runs were scored off the bat in the opening 7 overs, a credit in particular to superb opening spells from Ellie (2 overs, 2 maidens, no runs, 1 wicket), Laura (2 overs, 1 maiden, 3 runs, 2 wickets), and Henry (2 overs, 1 maiden, 4 runs, no wickets). Orpington fell to 187-3 after four overs, 208-3 after eight overs, and at 216-3 after twelve overs, the game definitely favoured Beckenham. Unfortunately, Beckenham then lost some discipline, and despite only 4 runs from the bat in the following 4 overs, the score after 16 overs had gone up by 20 to 236-3 as Orpington started running byes and Beckenham bowled wides.

With 3 runs needed to win from the remaining 4 overs, Vihan returned to the game, and despite some excellent Beckenham fielding, his powerful hitting of 16 not out took the Orpington final total to 258-6, comfortably passing the target.

Overall, the team performed well, and would have won the game had it not been for the district players' heroics - Vihan alone contributed 38 runs to the winning margin through bat and ball. A good experience for the Beckenham players "lucky" enough to face him in particular, and a lesson on the importance of a good line, length and pace bowling.

Player of the match here was a very easy decision. A completely unbreakable 11 not out with the bat followed by 2 overs with 1 wicket and no runs, please take a bow Ellie. A superb all round performance.

On to the next game!