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2009 Colts Review - U14s & U16s

Under 14s (“The Academy”) – Coach: Neil “Windy” Miller; captain: Ben Miller

W9 D1 L5. (2008: W3 D2 L6) Identilam League: 4^th (out of 12) (2008: 7^th out of 9).  At first glance, Neil appeared to be hamstrung this season as so many boys from last year’s 13s decided to quit the sport.  Marcus Pringle & Josh Woodage were gone.  Zak Haulkham & Harry Bullock played the odd game initially but looked to be gone too.  The only regulars playing in the correct age group were the Miller twins and Tom Chambers as Dougie Glynne-Jones only appeared towards the end of the season when he wasn’t playing at school or for Sussex.  Tom Harvey-Jones and Mark Fischel also featured in the Festival.  However Neil took the opportunity to pick players from younger age groups which is why the side was nicknamed “the WC&T Academy”.  As results showed, it largely worked.  Under 13s Hasler, Glover, Brittle and Curtis all featured regularly in the league whilst Tavares joined them for the festival.  Gabriel Peck & Wesley Scottfrom younger age groups played regularly too.  

A sensational start to the league season saw them tie at home to eventual winners Cuckfield before winning away at Horsham which no other Green & Gold side of any age has ever managed.  Horsham mixed their 13s and 14s up this year but even so, a great win.  Following a close win over Horsham Trinity, they then lost badly at Billingshurst and what would become our 2009 club nemesis, Lindfield.  Ben Hasler  took  a hat trick and his first “Michelle” in the win at home to Steyning - 5-5.  The end of the season saw a fine win at Wisborough Green (which was again a club first after the 12s had beaten them at home) and a thumping win over Barns Green in the final game.  The festival turned on a close win at home against Arundel, when the visitors threw it away, having lost at home easily to Littlehampton the day before.  An easy win at Bognor set up the game at Steyning on the Thursday.  Having kept Steyning down to a reasonable score, our middle order collapsed and we were left hanging on for a losing draw.  

Overall a good season and several boys thrived playing a year or two up.  

Dougie Glynne-Jones did not need to pre-qualify for the Sussex squad and will be an Under 15 Sussex player in 2010.  

Top Batsmen

1. Tom Chambers. 15 innings. 297 runs at an average of 24.75.
2. Dougie Glynne-Jones.  8 innings. 248 runs at 41.33
3. Ben Miller. 15 innings. 218 runs at 27.25

Top Bowlers

1. Alex Miller. 69.3 overs, 24 wickets at 12.38.  Economy 4.27
2. Ben Hasler. 44.1 overs. 17 wickets at 10.88. Economy 4.2
3. Toby Glover. 58.5 overs. 14 wickets at 13.57. Economy 3.23
4. Ben Miller.  53 overs.  14 wickets at 13.21.  Economy 3.49
    

Under 16s – Coaches: Martin “Fingers” Glover & Alan “Reevers” Reeves; Captain: Will Chambers

W6 D0 L5.  (2008: W2 D1 L8) League Position: 2^nd (out of 8) (2008: 8^th out of 10).  The 16s is always a testing age group.  Poignant as it’s their last year as colts but exciting as the team knows they’re embarking on a senior career.  Of course like Windy’s 14s, Fingers didn’t actually have many 16s!  Will Chambers, John Tolson & Dan Bullock featured for most of the league season whilst Jake Hodgson & Will Hay appeared when their school terms had finished at Eastbourne & Winchester towards the end of the league season. Georgia Adams, a Sussex player, also assisted us in a few festival games.  Otherwise it was a testing season for many of the Under 15s who largely stepped up to the plate admirably.  Notable mentions here for David B-D who bowled with great economy but little wicket success this year relative to other years,Jack Glover who went off like a train with the ball and the ever reliable Reeves twins.  But for Billingshurst, we would have contested the 16s league final against Horsham as we finished like the 10s, runners up in our Identilam South League.  Considering the amount of games we won last year, this was an outstanding achievement and again shows that we’ve nearly been through a full cycle of colts and the benefits are being shown.  The first six games this season were all won – against the likes of Three Bridges and Ansty’s Under 15s -  before Billy taught us a lesson at home in the final game.  In a winner-takes-all scenario, Billingshurst came, saw and conquered in a steely performance.  Some of us complained about the odd umpiring decision but the better team certainly won on the day.  The festival looked a very tough proposition and so it proved.  However we competed well at Ansty - against their 16s this time - and were doing well against Roffey when the rains came.  Good work lads! 

All the 16s have played adult cricket so it should be no big step up for most of them as we wish them well in the senior teams.  As for the 15s that featured, they’ve also played senior cricket and as next year’s Under 16s League, they should win the League easily! 

Top Batsmen

1. David Bowen-Davies.  11 innings.  195 runs at an average of 21.67
2. Will Hay.  9 innings.  171 runs at 21.38

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