Our U11s enjoyed a lively and entertaining but cold first match of the season this week as Steventon travelled to face Didcot in a 20 over contest. Steventon won the toss and chose to bat first, looking to set a strong total for their bowlers to defend.

First Innings: Steventon Batting
Steventon’s innings began with plenty of energy, but Didcot struck early with a wicket taken in the second over by Shiv Panchal. Wickets continued to come at regular intervals as Didcot’s bowlers found good rhythm.

Didcot’s bowlers kept applying pressure. Christopher Bull and Benedict Howman Bett both took important wickets, while Oscar Cox Rogers produced a dramatic double strike in the 12th over. A sharp run out from William Dagnell & Christopher Bull added to Steventon’s challenges.
Steventon did keep the scoreboard moving thanks to determined running and a significant number of extras, but regular wickets prevented any long partnerships from forming.

A Dramatic Finish to the Innings
Just as Didcot thought they had wrapped up the innings, Shiv Panchal delivered one of the most memorable sequences of the match. He bowled what looked like the final wicket — only for celebrations to be cut short when the umpire signalled a no ball due to an overstepped front foot. On the free hit, Panchal hit the stumps again, but of course the batter could not be dismissed. Showing brilliant composure, Shiv Panchal ran in once more and — for the third ball in a row — hit the stumps cleanly, this time legally, finally ending the innings to cheers from teammates and supporters.

It was a fantastic example of perseverance, focus, and learning under pressure. Steventon closed their innings with a competitive total for Didcot to chase.

Second Innings: Didcot Chasing
Didcot began their reply steadily, with Oscar Cox Rogers and Cherish Reddy Copu working hard against disciplined early bowling. After Cherish Reddy Copu fell in the 4th over, Shiv Panchal joined the chase and helped settle the innings.

The turning point came when Christopher Bull and Shiv Panchal built a calm, confident partnership — a textbook example of a composed run chase. Christopher Bull found the boundary regularly, while Shiv Panchal rotated the strike and kept the innings moving.
Steventon did fight back, taking two wickets in a single over, but Didcot remained in control thanks to the low required rate and steady batting.

In the 16th over, Benedict Howman Bett finished the match in style with a boundary, sealing a 7 wicket win for Didcot.
Both teams showed fantastic spirit, teamwork, and resilience. The match had everything — wickets, boundaries, partnerships, drama, and plenty of learning moments. A brilliant effort from all players.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Player of the Match: Christopher Bull — an outstanding all round performance featuring 3 wickets, a hand in a run out, and excellent batting including two boundaries. A complete display of skill and composure.

I Scream Moment: Shiv Panchal’s sky high catch, taken with brilliant precision under pressure — a moment that had supporters holding their breath before erupting in cheers.