Clumber U15 too strong for Whitwell

Clumber Park CC U15 opened their league account for 2018 with a good win against Whitwell U15 this evening. Batting first Clumber set the pace with heavy hitting and fine stroke play from opening pair James Davies and Jasper Dennison. Eager to score quickly, good running between the wickets and 7 boundaries made a partnership of 85 before Jasper (24) had one schwing too many and lost his middle stump. JD carried his bat for the second time in three days and retired not out on 38. Captain Ben Tomlinson unfettered by leadership responsibilities decided to retire not out 35 off just 11 scoring shots. U15 debutants Josh Sanderson (15*) and Zak Berridge (5*) closed the Clumber innings confidently at 149-1. Whitwell were plucky in the field and faced with such aggressive batting did very well to keep up their enthusiasm despite assisting the Clumber total with several extras. Whitwell's batting response was resolute and steady with their opening pair putting on 61 in reply before Lily Darren Edwards broke the partnership with a wicket maiden LBW. Our second wicket went to Ben Atkinson making his U15 debut who, taking a leaf out of Lily's book, produced another wicket maiden but this time clean bowled the batsman. As the drizzle started to fall and fear of a weather effected result loomed Clumber got their skates on but maintained their strangle hold on Whitwell's scoring rate. Oliver Bowering was menacingly quick, Harry Tim Beer was miserly, Callum Edwards and Evan David Bownes shaped the ball well to restrict Whitwell to 73-2 from their 20 overs. A confident and pleasing start to the league season. Next game is away against MHM in the Notts U15 Cup on Friday, a fixture that promises to test our young players that bit further.