Date

Opposition

Venue  

Result 

06/5/09

Wellingborough

Away

Won

13/5/09

Bedford Prep

Home

Won

03/6/09

Kimbolton

Away

Won

24/6/09

Swanbourne House

Home

Lost

01/7/09

Spratton Hall

Home

Won

Maidwell won by 35 runs
 
This was an excellent first performance from the Under 10 B 'XI'.  Alex Palmer captained the team by example, scoring 28 not out with the bat, keeping the runs down with the ball and encouraging his fielders.  Maidwell opened the batting with Joseph Ayoub and Archie Forsyth taking the score past 50 with a fine display of backing up and running between the wickets.  The team scored 118 off their 20 overs, a very respectable run rate that was both helped and hindered by the inaccuracy of some of the opponents' bowling.  In the field Maidwell were alert with Oliver Peppiatt showing quick hands and thinking at the stumps to run out three of the Wellingborough batsmen.  Tight, accurate bowling by Forsyth, Toby Phillips, Sam Boscawen, Cassian Ferrari and Palmer kept the batsmen well and truly under control allowing them just 83 runs from their 20 overs.

Maidwell won by 61 runs

This was another solid performance from the Under 10B 'XI' that showed the strength in depth that exists within this year group.  Maidwell batted first with Joseph Ayoub and Archie Forsyth opening in a steady and controlled fashion.  The Bedford bowlers lacked the accuracy to challenge the batsmen and, often, their inaccuracy conspired to make it rather difficult for Joseph and Archie to even hit the ball.  At the same time, Bedford's fielding was good, so shots had to be very well placed to enable more than a quick single.  Extras proved to play a major part, amassing some 82 of Maidwell's 147 total, but Joseph (34) and Hugh Buxton (21) played some lovely strokes that would have graced an 'A' team fixture.  I was also pleased that Archie Clifton-Brown and Cassian Ferrari got to bat, if only for a total of 4 balls between them.  The Maidwell bowlers were more accurate but they didn't come under much pressure from the batsmen and they should have taken a few more wickets.  It is a very promising team that will benefit from the stronger opposition that they are yet to face, but they must strive to really exert themselves on their opponents with both bat and ball if any of the individuals are to progress to the 'A' team.

 
Although the scoreline only shows a 30 run margin, this was a comprehensive win for the team.  Kimbolton's bowling was rather variable and Maidwell struggled to get their "eyes in" with so few balls available to actually play.  All the batsmen acquitted themselves well and showed a straight bat and good running.  In the field, Maidwell were alert, the bowlers were far more accurate than their opponents and each took at least one deserved wicket.  The match against Spratton Hall next week should prove more competitive and will allow the boys to show their full range of skills.  A promising season continues.

Swanbourne won by one wicket
 
Unfortunately, for logistical reasons, this match was played with an "Incredi-ball" rather than a hard ball.  Even so, it was the most competitive game the Bs have played this season.  Maidwell batted first against a good, accurate Swanbourne bowling line up.  After some early shocks with both opening batsmen failing to score, Hugh Buxton and Alex Palmer and, subsequently, Oliver Peppiatt steadied the ship and played some attacking shots.  Maidwell scored 107 off the 20 overs, a reasonable total, but one that could have been improved with better backing up and faster running between the stumps.  Swanbourne's batsmen did not match their bowlers for effectiveness; sadly, some of Maidwell's bowlers also failed to match their opponents conceding numerous wides and no balls, whilst the fielders leaked further runs.  It all made for an exciting finale, Maidwell chasing the wickets and Swanbourne needing runs.  Swanbourne won the race with just 8 balls remaining, despite some excellent bowling by Hugh Buxton.

Maidwell won by 77 runs
 
Maidwell versus Spratton makes for an exciting final match of the season.  The boys were pumped up and ready for this, anticipating a fearsome duel.  Sadly it proved to be anything but, despite losing an early wicket, Spratton's bowlers failed to trouble the Maidwell batsmen and runs flowed both from the bat and the large number of wides and no balls.  Maidwell knocked 167 runs off the 20 overs with some excellent batting from Archie Forsyth, Charles Granby and Alex Palmer.  Spratton's batsmen offered no more than the bowlers, making just 12 runs off the bat; George Pease, Charles Granby and Toby Phillips were particularly impressive with the ball in hand, but fielding errors and too many wides and no balls allowed Spratton to earn a respectable total.