U13's County Champions
18 June 2023
U13s win nail-biting final to lift the County Cup
Our U13s won a nail-biting final to lift the Somerset County Cup after successfully defending 81 against Taunton St Andrews U13s on Sunday at Cleeve CC.
Bath skipper, S Price won the toss and decided to bat on what appeared to be a good batting wicket, but then we lost W Blackmore in the first over, and wickets began to regularly tumble to Taunton’s tight opening bowling attack, and with seven wickets down with less than 40 on the board, Bath had to rely on the middle and lower order if they were going to post a competitive total. A Jackman (24) and T Sykes (15*) then batted very maturely to help post an under par, but still defendable, 81-9 off our 20 overs.
The Taunton St Andrews innings started positively with opening batter, J Perry hitting the ball cleanlily, until an excellent piece of fielding from W Blackmore – catching a hard-hit cover drive which literally knocked him off his feet changed the tempo of the Taunton innings. This gave Bath’s bowlers all the encouragement they needed and they swiftly removed Taunton’s other top three batters with some excellent bowling from openers, W Elwes (2-18) and T Sykes (2-18). Bath’s change bowlers then started to tighten the screw with two good four over spells from both W Blackmore (3-10) and A Jackman (1-11).
With two wickets still required, the off spin of J Pippett proved crucial as he trapped Taunton’s no 10 in front, and J Robinson’s excellent maiden over ensured that Taunton still needed a run a ball to win as the last over beckoned. But off the very last ball of the penultimate over Taunton’s number nine was run out by the dependable Jackman/Price combination to seal a great victory for Bath and the County Cup.
As County champions Bath now play the winners of the Wiltshire County Cup on 2nd July in the Vitality Blast National U13 T20 Championship, which Bath U13s won last year.
