Western Province

Shropshire U 13s Vs Western Province - Match VI 40:40

Another day, another hitherto unseen dog in the kitchen at Picardie, another cricket match – the much anticipated show down against Western Province U 13, played at the WP cricket Club. Here we had sighting of Cornwall’s U13s, who were playing against a Rondebosch side whose boys were of a height and physique quite different from the young teenagers representing Western Province. As these young men set about our boys bowling – and we became accustomed to the sound of leather on tin roof - the boundary sages were to be heard talking of several of the batsmens’ uncommonly ‘long levers’. Though off their allotted 40 overs the very able WP batsmen amassed an impressive 330, not once were they permitted to break free. Our bowlers – Jenkins, Uppal, Prideaux, Egerton, Davis, Walker, Peers and Thompson all upped their respective games. Eddie Prideaux affected a magnificent run out (of their captain) and the ever combative William Jenkins toiled manfully: Though clearly utterly drained of energy, in his 7th over Jenko elicited a warning from the umpire for a well directed bouncer. How fitting it was that it was Jenko, with the last ball of the allotted 40 overs, who had the final hurrah, the ball evading the bat of WP’s No 11 to crash into the welcoming timbers.

The quality of Shropshire’s bowling performance was to be matched by that delivered by the batsmen. None will have faced the pace and unerring line of the balls delivered by this WP team’s fast bowlers. Their spinners were likewise hugely impressive. Against such a bowling attack Olly Parton’s score of 11, off 41 balls was an obstinate triumph of determination and resilience. That Jonny Bland made 49, William Jenkins 50 not out and the team amassed a score of 175 for 6 in its allotted 40 overs - against such a bowling unit - was a cause for celebration. In the evening quality local wine flowed in some quantity at Picardie. All were in high spirits – the most magnificent braais was had.