Robbie shows the way (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Robbie shows the way

THE Under-13 youngsters from the North Cotswold Young Cricketers Club travelled to Shrivenham where a place in the last eight of the Ron Maudsley Knockout Cup was at stake.

The visitors won the toss and elected to field on a slow, soft wicket and damp outfield.

Shrivenham's openers didn't look in any trouble but their scoring rate was slow and after nine overs the score was only 28.

After a good piece of fielding by Joe Dancer to run out one of the openers, Bowles pushed up the scoring rate before retiring on 30 after being at the crease for nine overs.

Snell, meanwhile, reached his retired score of 30 after 19 overs.

Retired

After their allotted 20 overs Shrivenham had scored 99-2 but Dancer set about the opening bowlers and retired on 30 after six overs after an innings that contained four boundaries.

After Nick Hudson was bow-led, though, the scoring rate slowed until 36 runs were needed off the last six overs.

After player of the match Robbie Shurmer had played himself in he began to take the bowlers on and, when he was dismissed for a well-struck 26, only six runs were needed.

David Nieman hit a boundary and victory was assured when two extras were conceded.

A Cotswold Hills League Under-12 game was played at Ebrington where the NCYCC entertained Alcester and Ragley.

The hosts won the toss and elected to field and good bowling by Sam Canning (2-Ben Eakins (1-6) and Kieran Shoemark (1-2) helped restrict Alcester to 226-4 after 16 overs.

Steady batting by all of the North Cotswold pairs enabled them to finish their overs on 243 for the loss of just one wicket to record a 17-run success.

The Under-12s is a new team this season and they made a fine start. The match balls were sponsored by Graham Treglown of Boundary Sports.

The Under-15s had a walk-over against Shipton-under-Wychwood who failed to turn up for the game. However, they did get on to the field on Monday night for an Oxford League clash at Hook Norton.

Elected

The visitors elected to bat first and totalled 165-3 off their 20 overs with Tim Will-iams-Ellis retiring with 50 to his name.

Josh Newbold (36), Matt Goss (35) and Ben Hughes (24) also made good contributions before making way for the bowlers to take the limelight.

The home side struggled throughout and could only muster 59-8. Eddie Dale and Dan Smith both claimed a couple of wickets, while Newbold, Steve Larner and James Macklin all picked up one apiece.