Sussex's under-14 & under-15 boys in action at Bede's over weekend

The under-14s after their win against Kent

Colin Bowman gives his latest snapshot of the Sussex boys' season with a trip to watch the Under-14s and Under-15s at Bede's School...

Academy director, Richard Halsall, would have had an ideal opportunity to have an in-depth look at our under-14 and under-15 squads when both teams hosted matches at Bede's School, East Sussex yesterday.  As both games got underway Richard could be seen wandering from one pitch to the other.

U14s Skipper Danny Ibrahim Carried his Bat

With day-time temperatures nudging 30 degrees, it seemed a little strange that Danny decided to insert Kent onto a road. That appeared to be a brilliant decision, however, as the opener Nieout went for a duck. Thereafter, the visitors took control and put on runs as Sussex toiled in the hot sun. At 104-4 off 25 overs, it looked as though Kent were going on to make a very good score indeed. Spinners Archie Lenham (10 overs 1-29) and Bertie Forman (10 overs 2-37) cooled the situation as Kent were held to 170-8. Under the circumstances, all Sussex connections were pleased with the fielding outcome.

In reply, 'keeper Charlie Tear was given the honour of opening with skipper Ibrahim. Both batsman got off to a great start plundering 20 runs off the first over.  However, attritional cricket then took over for the next couple of hours as Sussex batsmen had to work hard.  The job was made harder by a surprisingly lush outfield. An excellent game of cricket eventually saw Ibrahim carry his bat (81 not out) and the side to victory.

Coach James Anyon said after:  "Our bowlers were very tight on a flat track and restricted them to 170. In response, we got off to a good start, but the spinners bogged us down.  We worked that out pretty quickly and it was comfortable in the end."

Next up for the under-14s is a trip to Middlesex on Friday 20 July.

U15s Couldn’t Find the Answers

Our under-15s have been flying in their 2018 campaign but were brought back to earth by a resolute Cambridgeshire squad.  Batting first on a dry wicket, batsmen Charlie Weir, Freddie Longley and Tom Hinley couldn't get the innings off to the usual flyer and at 84 for 5 Sussex were struggling.

Gus James (30) and Mali Barduille-Lewis (31) batted really well late in the inningss to secure a score of 203 all out. Charles Bell was the pick of the Cambridgeshire bowlers with three wickets.

In reply, Will Baldwin (39) and James Wilson (49) put Cambridgeshire on the front foot and the visitors reached 155 for 4. But Crease gave Sussex hope with three quick wickets for 20 runs.  As the game become tight with 20 runs and three wickets needed Cambridgeshire took an agonising six overs to complete the win.  

Our under 15s will have to dust themselves off and get ready for the their next challenge at Huntingdonshire on Wednesday 25th July.

It was a win and a loss for Sussex at Bede's School but thanks must go to our hosts for looking after us on the day and producing two excellent grounds to play on.