Chesham CC  Under 15s Cup Regional Finals.

Many congratulations must go to the Chesham Under 15 team. Having previously won the Bucks County Board Cup and then, as Bucks Representatives in the  ECB National Trophy, gone on to beat Aston Rowant (Oxon), and Maidenhead and Bray (Berkshire), they had qualified to take part in the Regional Finals at St Albans on 4^th August. Lacking several key players due to holidays or injury and with manager Mike Anderson unable to take the strain and having fled the country the team were under the tender care of Steve Ayres and Gift for the day. The first game was against Mildenhall, representing Suffolk, and proved to be a real thriller. In spite of an opening stand of 48 between Sid Dey (19) and skipper Dominic Goodman (48) the Chesham innings rather fell away as wickets fell regularly but Aaron and Dom Taylor held out to complete a 20 over total of a seemingly below par 100 for 9. The Mildenhall innings began without incident until the 6^th over when Stan Burgham struck twice to remove both openers with the score on 23. Runs came steadily but Goodman, Ollie Mcinley and Jack Clifford each took a wicket to make the score 86 for 5. In Aaron Navaratnam’s first over three chances were spurned before he then took a wicket and panic set in among the Mildenhall lads. Two run outs ensued, one due to a piece of quick thinking by Will Turner, and then a fine catch by Jack Clifford before Goodman and McInley cleaned up the tail to give Chesham victory by 5 runs. The serried ranks of Chesham supporters- all twenty of us-went mad . Talk about mothers behaving badly! We had really punched our weight against Suffolk. Mike had been in touch throughout the game from darkest Croatia and probably took full credit for the win.

The Final against Esher, representing Surrey, proved to be an anti-climax. Chesham chose to bat first and Dey (33) and Goodman (17) again got off to a good opening partnership of over 50 runs before both were dismissed. Several lads, including Will Turner and Theo Wetherall made useful contributions but in spite of a huge straight six by Jack Clifford the run rate slowed dramatically before a final total of 122 for 5 was reached. Just about par we sages thought. We were wrong, very wrong. In the event Esher’s stylish top three proved to be too good and they cruised home with a bevy of powerful strokes to give their side victory without loss of a wicket, one lad having retired after making 50. This time our supporters were more restrained but took the defeat bravely. Despite this result the Chesham lads should be proud of their achievement in becoming effectively equal fifth, together with the three other losing Regional finalists, from all the clubs in England. Well done indeed.