Another impressive display by the ever improving Under 11's team saw them lose by just 5 runs to an older and more experienced Hawkinge team.
Batting first Sibton made 271, one more run than the previous week. All the batting pairs finding it a bit tougher because the bowling was more accurate but all the same they coped well and actually scored more off the bat. Batsmen backing up, and judging runs still needs to some work mind! The two Max's, Brenchely & Jenkins, started the innings followed Nat & Tristan Parmenter, then Louis Smith & Jermimah Greenwood and finally followed by Joseph Parrish and Acey Gore.
In reply the Sibton bowlers did well, with Joseph Parrish picking up an early wicket with a good caught & bowled. Unfortunately needing a wicket in the last over might have seen Sibton snatch the win but Hawkinge ground it out and came out victors. Again a decent enough fielding display, but obviously still some work to do ie walking in when the bowlers running up.
There will always be something to improve on as these guys are a young team, but they are progressing exceptionally well already so long my it continue.
Thanks to Roland, Dave and the supporting parents.

A better weekend for the 1st XI, not so good for the 2nd team.

1st XI away to Whitstable expected and got a good game, but maybe not as tight as hoped!.
Being inserted Sibton, Sibton got off to a reasonable start but Andy Allon fell to a quicker short ball from the impressive Sean French. Unfortunately keen to impress and get on the board overseas Kiwi Jack Harper chase a regulation left armer's ball and nicked off to the keeper giving French his second wicket in consecutive balls.
Scoring at 4's and 5's an over Sibton were going well but kept losing wickets as Jamied Keeler got himself in with some excellent hitting & shot play but skied one.
Only Steve Hickmott & Ben Allon showed some grit with 70 and 74 respectively, but both unfortunately gave their wickets up too easily as crucial times, as Sibton finished on a below PAR but reasonable 218 all out, and gave Whitstable 2 extra overs. Whitstable bowled very well with French keeping it tight, and James Loader seaming the ball and taking the pace off making it difficult to score.
In reply Whitstable got off to a flyer as Max Campbell played exceptionally well and made the Sibton opening attack struggle as he pushed the ball around with ease. Meanwhile his opening partner Tondulkar dropped anchor and scored 2 off a lot of balls before Rowe got a breakthrough. As Campbell quickly passed his 50 and looking to take the game away from Sibton, slag brothers Tim Smith and Simon Knight got Sibton back in to it stemming the flow of runs and Campbell went slightly back in to his shell. Slowly but surely wickets started to tumble as Knight bowled exceptionally well and picked up 2 wickets. Campbell got his well deserved 100 after being in the 90's for a long time before and crucially he fell to Andy Allon. Some handy glove work from Steve Hobbs hung on to catches and very sharp stumpings, then saw the scales sway back slightly in Sibton's favour. Josh Gould batted well for 36, tipping the scales back towards Whitstable, but a silly run out and it was back on for Sibton. Needing very few runs, Sibton were regretting giving Whitstable the extra 2 overs perhaps. Steve Rowe returned and was mopping up, with same Newman picking up a vital wicket finally, leaving Whitstable 9 wickets down needing just 2 runs to win. Rowe bowled a full straight ball for French to step across his stumps and be given out LBW as Rowe picked up his 4th wicket and Sibton got the win.
A real tight one with lots to be learnt from - it was a game Sibton had no right to win after an excellent display by Campbell but also proves you keep going to the end and things can happen.
Meanwhile the 2's entertained Whitstable 2's. A good bowling and fielding display restricted Whitstable to 140 for 8 from their 50 overs, with captain Trevor Lewis picking up 3 wickets, T Boat 2 wickets 1 for Carey and 2 run outs.
However in reply, like the 1's last week, Sibton batters threw it away as a good Whitstable bowling side skittled Sibton out for 115 in the 48th over.

Moving swiftly on to Sunday and the National Village Knockout competition, virgin entrants Hollingbourne and Sibton battled it out at Hollingbourne.
A difficult damp pitch and some reasonable bowling made it difficult for Sibton batting first, as Steve Hickmott, Andy Allon And Dan Lodge fell early on. In form Ben Allon however settled it down with an excellent knock for 91 before holing out. Under 13 Harry Wren made his debut and despite coming in at a difficult time played maturely trying to help push the score on before being caught. Sibton made a decent 223 on a difficult seaming/spinning pitch.

In reply Sam Newman took two early wickets removing the opening. A few biffs and bashes saw Hollingbourne get a glimmer of hope, but Dan Lodge and Ryan Currie held Hollingbourne up as Lodge pickled up 3 wickets and T Boat picked up a 5 fer bowling very well. They were helped by some excellent glove work from John Osborne on his return after 11 months out from injury. nine down and needing 60 runs some lusty blows from number 11 made it close but Tim Smith finally finished it up as Hollingboune finished on 185. Closer than perhaps it should be, but Hollingbourne battled and gave it a good go, but also Steve Rowe and Andy Allon were also not required to be brought in to the attack.

A good weekend.

Well, what a start for the relatively inexperienced team.
Batting first (pairs cricket) the Sibton guys totaled 270 in their 20 overs. Some nice batting by the two Max's at the beginning, Harry & Jack Divers and  Louis Smith & Jemimah Greenwood in the middle and finished off nicely by Joseph Parry & Acey Gore. Some work to do on judging a run and backing up but it was good all the same as only 3 wickets were lost (there were quite a few extras!)
Having said that, for the guys first game together, what a bowling and fielding revelation. They kept the bowling as tight as possible with a few extras, and fielded really well. Louis Smith & Joseph Parry picked up 3 wickets each, a good run out between Joe and Harry made it difficult, with the two Max's, Harry, Acey and Jemimah all bowling well making batting difficult.
Folkestone finished on 231 for 8.
A brilliant win for the team for their first game, and probably an unexpected win - but they exceeded all expectations. Good work the coaches!