Junior Band of Brothers U18

Match Report

Junior Band of Brothers (175 for 7 in 35 overs) beat the Junior Martlets (144; H Moorat 51) by 31 runs

The Junior Martlets won the toss and elected to field against a strong Band of Brothers side. Opening bowlers James Brahaut and Tom Heath found the going quite hard against a Tonbridge School batting attack, although useful deliveries made sure the batsmen didn’t have it all their own way.

Ed Miller, one of five debutants in Martlet colours, came on first change bowling an accurate line. The spin attack really did change the face of the game after 60 had been rattled up in nine overs. Toby Shepperson, a 14-year-old leg spinner, bowled with real control removing both openers in his second over. The off spin of Ben Heber then appeared at the other end and proved hard to get away. The captain, Jack Troak, replaced Shepperson with his leg breaks and continued to bamboozle the batsmen.

His second-wicket produced the best theatre of the afternoon. The batsman lofted the ball towards extra cover, where Troak had conveniently place Krishan Nayee; the bowler, however, launched himself to his left at a gallop crying “Jack’s ball”…..the runaway train was heading towards the inevitable snarl up at extra cover. To his eternal credit Nayee’s eyes only briefly flickered away from the ball to impending doom but the hands remained steady. So Jack’s second cry became “Jack’s ball…oh well caught”! After 35 overs The Band of Brothers had 175.

That score was certainly a reachable target; the bowlers had done their work well. Sadly Ed Fairfax fell to a legside catch behind in the second over. Josh Medley and Harry Moorat began to re-establish things but a fine low catch removed Medley as the runs had begun to flow from his bat. Ludo Milne looked good too until the leg spinner worked his art and lured him down the track. That was the story of the innings. Men got in then got out apart from Moorat, whose mature display deserved long-stay partners. We ended 31 runs behind. Disappointing perhaps but there was much potential on show. Jack Troak’s positive and sympathetic captaincy was another important feature of the afternoon.