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It has been an unbelievable start to the 2011 season for our extremely talented group of 9 and 10 year old cricketers.
On their debut venture into hard ball cricket in the South Northants Junior Cricket League, we were concerned that entering them against technically and physically superior players of 11 years of age would be a daunting prospect.
However, every Sunday we see the same group of boys (most of whom are half the size of their opponents and two years younger) go out to battle with the most amazing team spirit, and against all the odds are now in pole position to win the league.
As of 21.06.11, we have played four, won four (three of which were away games) and this is an immense achievement, putting us well on course to make the County finals if we win our remaining three matches.
The David and Goliath heroics these lads display week in week out is well worth watching on Sunday mornings, with some matches going down to the very last over amid unbearable tension, so please come and support them in their run in to what would be our greatest achievement at Deddington CC at any level.
Special mention must go to the outstanding performers this season, notably Alfie Barbeary, George Welch and Ollie Broughton, all of whom have played superbly in all their matches, and we now need to make sure the younger crop of players below them live up to their standards next season, which won't be easy.
Younger players in the team such as Sam Nelson (Captain), Ollie Welstood, Harry Turburfeld and Donald Barrett have been joined by reserves
Dan Turner, Dan May and Henry Durand when needed, and we plan to use improving players whenever short to give them vital match experience, whilst still fielding our strongest available team every week.
The youngsters in the team all have vital roles, with Donald Barrett looking more like the complete wicket keeper every week and with some excellent batting to boot.
Sam Nelsons leadership, field placings and bowling are all improving with each game, and Harry Turburfield is our most economical bowler, as well as sharing the top number of wickets (7) with George Welch.
Ollie Welstood is developing his all round fielding and bowling skills, having saved a significant number of runs with great fielding and catches during the season, and has a very accurate arm over distance.
We are drumming it into the kids to understand the importance of not giving away their wickets (we lose 5 runs every time we play across the line and get out), and to bowl straight without giving away too many wides (2 runs lost each time)
They have responded in a way we never could have imagined, but there is still room for improvement having recently given away far too many wickets to Preston Capes and nearly losing the match, but this is a sign of how well we have moved on - Instead of hoping to compete with players from a higher age group, we are striving for perfection every week and to beat them.
Against Brackley we actually played a near perfect game - Not conceeding a single wicket during the whole match and beating County and District 11 year olds comfortably. (Donald was wrongly given out LBW on the final ball despite Leg Before Wicket not applying to our league), and we had won with wickets and runs galore.
We are immensely proud of their achievements, not just through the results they've achieved, but for the sporting manner in which they have done so.
They are a credit to our club, always showing the upmost respect for the opposition with appropriate clapping and hand shaking, as well as showing respect for the Umpires, and regardless of what happens for the remainder of the season, their achievements are remarkable.
We have posted a link to their results and the league table below, which when you consider their age, is quite something.
Keep up the good work lads, and enjoy every minute of it......cricket seasons never last long enough.
2011 Fixtures
| League 2 (Version 2) |
| home team |
v |
away team |
| Brackley |
v |
Preston Capes
|
| Grange Park |
v |
Tows Gladiators |
| Westbury |
v |
Charlton |
| Deddington B |
v |
Bye |
| Brackley |
v |
Charlton |
| Grange Park |
v |
Preston Capes |
| Tows Gladiators |
v |
Deddington B |
| Bye |
v |
Westbury |
| Brackley |
v |
Deddington B |
| Preston Capes |
v |
Charlton |
| Tows Gladiators |
v |
Westbury |
| Grange Park |
v |
Bye |
| Brackley |
v |
Grange Park |
| Westbury |
v |
Deddington B |
| Charlton |
v |
Tows Gladiators |
| Bye |
v |
Preston Capes |
| Brackley |
v |
Tows Gladiators |
| Preston Capes |
v |
Westbury |
| Deddington B |
v |
Grange Park |
| Bye |
v |
Charlton |
| Westbury |
v |
Brackley |
| Deddington B |
v |
Preston Capes |
| Charlton |
v |
Grange Park |
| Tows Gladiators |
v |
Bye |
| Charlton |
v |
Deddington B |
| Preston Capes |
v |
Tows Gladiators |
| Westbury |
v |
Grange Park |
| Brackley |
v |
Bye |
| Deddington B |
v |
Charlton |
| Tows Gladiators |
v |
Preston Capes |
| Grange Park |
v |
Westbury |
| Bye |
v |
Brackley |
| Preston Capes |
v |
Brackley |
| Tows Gladiators |
v |
Grange Park |
| Charlton |
v |
Westbury |
| Bye |
v |
Deddington B |
| Grange Park |
v |
Brackley |
| Westbury |
v |
Deddington B |
| Charlton |
v |
Tows Gladiators |
| Preston Capes |
v |
Bye |
Under 9 Awards 2010
Deddington vs Banbury Under 9's Coaches Match Report ( Jim Turburfield & Tim Barratt)
On an historic evening for Deddington Cricket Club, the first ever fielding of an Under 9's team could not have chosen a tougher fixture, or so we thought as we awaited the arrival of Banbury Cricket Club.
After a short welcome speach by Chairman Derek Cheeseman, Banbury batted first and had scored 212 for the loss of 7 wickets at the mid point when their second innings began.
They fared better in the second half, pushing the score up to 245 for the loss of a further 4 wickets.
Deddington's bowling was varied with wickets being picked up by Alfie (4), Harry, Dan T and Joe.
The established bowlers for Deddington performed well and particular note should go to Alfie Barbeary and Captain George Welch, with the later adding a maiden over to his contribution.
Deddingtons fielding was tidy after settling in.
Initial first touches were quite tense but, once they got into the game the ball was going to hand and confidence started to build.
For a first fixture the fielding was very good and they held their positions well.
54 extras were conceded.
Alfie Barbearys four wicket haul contained 3 feet swingers (which at the tender age of 9 is extremely impressive), and his batting display produced boundary after boundary from shots straight off his feet.
Daniel May, who only got into the first team when another player dropped out was sensational with ball, bat and in the field, and earned his first team place for next season after standing up to a fantastic fast bowler from Banbury who he saw off with ease.
Harry Turburfield made a superb diving catch at full stretch, and Banbury were all out.
Deddington batted straight and sensibly, and it was apparent that they had come on well from the start of the season with most players making a contribution to the score, and as with his bowling, Man of the Match Alfie was the pick of the crop, sensibly guided by Captain Welch.
It didn't take long to realise that Deddington were going to be comfortable victors in their first ever competitive match.
Hamish Nelson (aged 5) came on at the end of the game in front of a 60 strong crowd to make the final batting partnership with Callum Scott - and was clapped off the pitch through a line of honour to end a wonderful night for the club.
All players were presented with a trophy to remember the occasion which was played in great spirit with both coaches offering advice to youngsters from both teams.
Thanks to Banbury coach Nigel Higgs for a great evening and we look forward to many more regular fixtures next season.
We will unfortuantely be losing Alfie and George to the older age group next year, and this means bright youngsters such as Sam Nelson, Harry Turburfield, Johnnie Hand and Donald Barratt will need to step up to the mark and establish us as the team to beat, which we are fairly certain we will be.
Thanks to all the parents for the excellent support provided throughout the season - It was too short, but next year we will have more matches, qualified coaching, nets access and hopefully a bowling machine.
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