16th August 2009
Haverhill Sunday Firsts vs Earl Stonham

Haverhill could boast a team of 4 under 18s for this must win fixture. It started well as Woodley won the toss and elected to bowl with the new ball on a slow and low wicket. Opening bowler Rob Sullivan made 3 important breakthroughs to put Stonham on the back foot, especially the wicket of Tunstall who was caught well by Bradford for 35. Woodley and Poole shared the other 10 overs before drinks as Haverhill squeezed, thanks to some top wicket keeping from youngster, Billy Gage. Sullivan finished with figures of 3-23 off 10 and laid the foundation for the youngsters to shine. After drinks, 13 year old Ben Wilkins and 14 year old Anthony Phillips took centre stage. Wilkins bowled with exceptional accuracy and heart and managed to claim the wicket of Stonham captain, Lewies for 15. Phillips was more unfortunate with 2 catches dropped off his bowling but still managed to spin his way to very respectable figures. Woodley returned to nip out 2 quick wickets but it was 17 year old Joey Kettle who blew away the lower order. Kettle claimed 4 wickets, all bowled, to finish with 4-9 off 4.5 overs to restrict Earl Stonham to 128 all out.
 The Haverhill reply started very slowly and were soon in trouble at 6-2, with Proctor and Sharpe departing to consecutive balls. Carl Bradford steadied the ship with Rob Sullivan. When Sullivan fell caught behind, Dan Poole set about counter attacking, his fine knock of 22 left Haverhill needing 50 to win. When Poole holed out on the boundary, Thompson soon followed. Young Ben Wilkins strode to the crease to play the innings of his life so far. Bradford was next to go, and Woodley joined Wilkins. These two put on 28 runs but Woodley also perished, caught and bowled for just 10. Phillips also fell and Joey Kettle had a big job on his hands. Kettle hit the needed boundaries to finish on 23 not out and Wilkins nudged his way to a very impressive 6 not out. The youngster had kept the Stonham bowlers at bay for more than an hour to make sure Haverhill reached their total with 2 overs to spare.

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