With the quarter final plate loss against Merstham Warriors fresh in their minds, South Nutfield U14’s wanted revenge against the same opposition in their League fixture. What was supposed to be an away fixture was changed to a Home game when Merstham asked if we could host due to problems with ‘travellers’ at one of their venues.
After winning the toss Kyle elected to field first, but after a less than ideal start Merstham were cruising on 27/0 after 4 overs. This was soon changed after Archie (2 wickets) and Liam (2 wickets) stemmed the flow of runs with some tidy bowling supported by good catching in the field, which saw Merstham stutter to 35/4 after 8 overs. Kyle (1 wicket) and Loic (wicketless but tidy) kept up the pressure and the fielding continued to find its groove, with Advaith chipping in with a brilliant run out - Merstham were nearly down and out with only 49/6 off 12 overs. The South Nutfield players could sense victory which was evident from the constant chatter lifting the players to surge on for the final push.

Joseph tried in vain to get another wicket with some very accurate bowling, but was denied, with the Merstham batsman somehow managing to claw their way back into the match over the next 5 overs, with the loss of only 1 wicket – courtesy of a great catch by Advaith off Kieron’s bowling, leaving the game poised at 83/7 off 17 overs. The 18th over saw the return to form of Shaun who only gave away 2 runs in his over with some tidy bowling, which was just what was needed. The cries went out to ‘keep on it’ and ‘keep them to under 100’ which the last two overs did, courtesy of some good ‘death’ bowling by Archie and a fired-up Kyle, which saw Merstham finish on 94/7.
After a short break and hastily scoffed treats provided by Merstham the more than eager Merstham players assembled on the outfield to begin their response.

Kyle and Advaith soon joined Merstham in the middle but Advaith (0) missed a snorter of a delivery to be bowled off the second ball he faced. William joined Kyle and saw off the final three balls of the over. Kyle was in the mood to bat and continued to put pressure on the fielders (and his batting partner) by taking quick 1’s and 2’s and, once the nerves were settled, started to hit some good shots for 4. The runs started to pile up as Kyle and Wills took the score to 50/1 off 9 overs. The 10th over saw Kyle (37) fall agonisingly short of retirement when he forced a shot to mid on which was eagerly snaffled up by the fielder.

Toby joined Wills at the crease and continued where Kyle left off with some good running between the wickets and some nice 4’s, to take the score to 89/2 off 17 overs. Toby (26) was bowled in the 18th over with the score still on 89. Six runs to win off 16 balls, surely this game was in the bag. Archie smashed a 4 and saw out the remaining 4 balls of the 18th to put South Nutfield on the verge of victory – 93/3 with 12 balls to go. Unfortunately Wills (7) was bowled off the 3rd ball of the 19th coming down the wicket which left Joseph to see off the final 3 balls of the 19th, which he duly did. Thanks to a no ball in the 19th the scores were level – 94/4, which left Archie to tap and run the first ball of the 20th over for victory – I think the Merstham fielder is still fumbling the ball in the outfield. The crowd went wild, the players went wilder and a closer than it should have been victory was in the bag. All in all a good match and one which showed the grit and determination that makes the SNCC Vipers a difficult side to beat when they put their minds to it…..

Well done lads, onto Sunday’s friendly vs the SMCC Ladies and a friendly vs Capel to fill the gap on Thursday next week…..