The U18s played well in their SJCF week, with two convincing wins and a winning draw putting them third in the table. However, the two teams above them in the table were to play each other on the friday, and WC&T's fourth game was looking good for a win, so there was a high chance of making the final.
Then the July rain set in, the fourth game was cancelled, and it was out of their hands - Middleton could overtake WC&T with a win; but Middleton then had their game washed-out, so WC&T ended 2nd in the table behind Crowhurst.
Middleton had won the previous year, and so they were providing the ground for the 2023 Final.
On a damp, dull, dreary and dismal day, rain delayed the start, but the plan was still to play a full 40-over match.
Crowhurst won the toss and chose to bat.
After the first 10 overs it looked like the correct decision, as our bowlers and fielders struggled with the wet and windy conditions, and Crowhurst seemed to find all the gaps - they were scoring at nearly 10 per over - 96 for 0.
Then WC&T managed to take a wicket - BvN took one of the openers out of the game, and for a while the run-rate dropped dramatically. At 15 overs, Crowhurst were on 113 for 1, and in the 18th over Asmus struck removing the other opener, and they were 134 for 2..... run-rate dropped back again, but WC&T were running out of bowlers - Adam had earlier bowled himself but took himself straight off as the conditions did not suit. Heine and DTC had toiled in bowling but with little reward.
Also special mentions for Ben Saunders and Richard Wilson who had chased tirelessly in the outfield, and Woodage J in his customary place behind the stumps.
Woodage C took out their number 4 LBW, but soon Charlie, BvN and Asmus were out of overs. Adam bowled again, but the run-rate crept back up - the Crowhurst number 3 was a good batter, and reached 118 before Adam tempted him with a skyshot that finally fell to BvN. Heine bowled the number 6 at the death. But the total ended at 294. Average of 7.35 per over.
WC&T were undaunted, and confident they could get the runs. Adam and Charlie opened, scoring quickly and without drama. Not as fast a start as Crowhurst, but on the required run-rate. A partnership of 130 ended in the 17th with Adam caught for 73. Benji was number 3, but was carrying a bad knee injury from an earlier game. Unable to run, it was only a matter of time. BvN was number 4, and he put on a fast 52 with Charlie. Then BvN was caught, and WC&T were on 215 after 28 overs, 3 wickets down.
80 required off 12.
2 quick wickets fell for 7 runs, and Charlie had a new partner; brother Jack. Between them they propelled the score to 262 in the 36th over, a critical 40 run partnership. Then Jack was caught, and Jacob went in.
31 runs required from 4 overs.
Jacob was like a blur, bat flashing at everything, and they scored 14 in the 37th.
Suddenly we needed only 17 off 3, and older members of the crowd were offered medication.
The 38th over brought the end of The Rock's innings - Charlie danced down the wicket at a certain four... and was stumped.
We lost another wicket straight away.... still 15 runs short of the target.
DTC strode out into the field with his usual purpose.
Score now on 280 for 8.... a single in the 38th over meant we needed 14 runs from 12 balls.
Jacob and DTC with all the weight of the world on their shoulders.....
A single.... a four
9 runs from 10
A four.... a single.
A wide!!
Two runs.....
The final over. WC&T are on 293 chasing 294.
Dylan facing.
Dot ball.
Dot ball.
A single! The scores are tied.
Jacob facing.... a lunge at the ball, some contact.... DTC is already racing down the pitch... run completed!!
WC&T crowd can breathe again (with oxygen masks for some).
As has happened so many times with this age group, it was the whole team that won the game.
