On a bright and sunny morning at the Rainham ground the nine player Under 15s side were sent into bat. Playing in colours with the new Blue Bells Catering sponsored shirts they were looking great.

Some unfortunate early confusion with the running between the wickets left James at the wrong end and ran out. This was also on the first of the ‘free hit’ balls of the game. We saw the elusive 5 runs scored when the Rainham keeper missed the ball allowing it to strike the standby helmet directly behind him. Zac held steady at one end with Patrick joining him at the crease who quickly flowed into his natural shot playing game.

Patrick scored nicely including some classic cover drives and a hook shot off the well over pitched ball.

Next to go was Zac getting bowling leaving Caitlin to join Patrick. Caitlin got off to a flyer with four runs pulled via square leg on her first ball.

Patrick’s wicket fell next similarly to Zac getting bowled after a steady 12 runs.

Luca-Jay now joined Caitlin with a good start scoring ones and twos around the pitch. Caitlin continued to score well before falling victim to a good ball but scoring nicely with 17. Captain Margot comes to the crease next, turning the first ball around the corner for 2 runs before driving the ball into the hands of Mid On. William H joins Luca-Jay with 7 overs remaining and 57 on the board. William instantly starts pushing the ball into the spaces and increasing the running between the wickets. A good partnership forms with Luca-Jay starting to strike the ball hard with a barrage of fours. Both ending on a not out Luca-Jay finishing on 49 and William 15 and the total rising to 117.

Now for the bowlers with Charlie opening from the pavilion end with a good maiden and Malachy from the far end. After a few rusty ones from Malachy he warmed up into a good line and length. Charlie continued with another great over with only 2 runs from it before taking the first wicket in his third over, where the batmans gloved it straight into the keeper's hands, a nice simple one for Zac.

Next to turn his arm was James with a very conservative 2 over and only 6 runs coming from them.

William H comes on at the far end contending with the difference in pitch length, but steady. With the score ticking up it was time for the spinners in a sister and brother attack in Margot and Patrick. More to the liking of the batman the score moved on only hindered by a good run out between Charlie's clean throw to Zac removing the bails. Caitlin took the last over where the quality of the Rainham batsmen met the run chase in the 15th over.

A good team effort especially with only nine players leaving too many spaces in the field.