Confidence amongst the Shrewton Under 13s could not have been higher before last Sunday’s league semi-final, and their youngsters were eagerly asking the date of the final before a ball had been bowled.  Perhaps they had cause for such confidence – after all, they had beaten the Valley in their earlier encounter and there was the home advantage too.

Yet Junior Cricket at Chalke Valley has mad great strides this balmy summer and both coach Dingle and his mixed team of boys and girls were every bit as confident – but perhaps in a more dignified and becoming manner.

And this confidence proved justified.  Batting first, the Valley had reached a more than competitive 99-4 after their twenty overs with all bats contributing and unphased by the Shrewton attack.  In response, Hope Mayhew martialled her bowlers well, bowling well herself, and rotating her resources with skill.  It was Freddie Bates, with four wickets, who ripped out the heart of the Shrewton side with four key wickets, but with Molly Grant chipping in with two and Clover Crosse with one, it was a superb run-out that ended the innings of their final batsmen – and with the home side still seven runs short.

We are now lobbying hard to the have final played at Bowerchalke.  If this is agreed, then I very much hope as many people as possible will turn out to support our Under 13s.  In our first season of competitive junior cricket, this is a superb achievement and says much about the coach and players and the quiet determination they have showed this summer.  Many congratulations to Hope Mayhew and her team!