After the excitement of our first game of the season on Tuesday, we hosted a stronger version of the same Holtwhites U13s in the Semi Final (also the First Round) of the U13 North Area Cup Competition. Having won the toss and elected to bowl with our shiny new AJ Sports ball, captain for the evening Dilan A rounded the troops for a brief and simple team talk. Yes the whiteboard came out again.

Commitment and enjoyment were the two words written.

Commitment to the boys themselves, to each other, and to winning. And doing everything they needed to do in order to produce the best performance that they could.

Enjoyment was more self-explanatory, but the emphasis was on being loud. Being vocal on the field with encouragement, vocal from the boundary when supporting, vocal when running between the wickets etc.

The Ted Lasso-esque team talk clearly fired the boys up, as a really tight opening spell from Mahith M and Ben P restricted our opposition to just 18 from the first 5 overs. Our U11 seam bowling duo of Aarush C and Judah G then stepped up, with the former castling one opener, and the latter dismissing the other with his first ball. A well taken catch from Messi G at Mid Off.

This wicket brought in Holtwhites star player, who batted well and did not give many chances in a well made 31* (retired not out as per Cup rules).

Dilan A and Ollie L put the pressure on in the middle overs, bowling tight lines and good lengths, as Dilan picked up our third wicket of the innings with a seed. Holtwhites rallied well at the end of the innings, despite a strong spell from Tatva S, reaching 106 from their 20 overs. A score we felt confident that we could chase, although knowing that a couple of misfields and dropped catches gave the opposition a few runs more than we might have liked.

Dilan and Ben P opened up the batting against a hostile spell from Holtwhites opening bowler - who's 4 overs included 2 maidens and the wicket of Ben P, caught behind off a ball that swung away.

Ben B came in and steadied the ship, and alongside Dilan they shared a crucial 88 run partnership, with both retiring on 30*, before Alfie M came in and hit the winning runs with an over to spare.

Against a strong opposition, it might not be the best performance that the boys put in this season, but a win in their first game and progressing through to the Final of the North Area Cup is a fantastic result.

Plenty to work on at training on Monday night, but also a great starting point for what promises to be a great season!