Great start to Indoor league season

Petersfield U16s vs Sarisbury

Petersfield win by 23 runs

The U16s got their indoor season off to a flying start with a comprehensive win over Sarisbury.

Losing the toss and asked to bat first, openers Alex Thomas (30) and Gabriel Broadhurst (47) picked up where they left off in the summer, with some well placed shots and incisive running setting the foundations for a big total.

In his first match for the U16 indoor side, Ben Turk contributed some useful runs (18) and, with the help of 35 extras, Petersfield’s total of 141 looked more than useful.

And so it proved, with Sarisbury always behind the required rate thanks to some tight bowling from Gabe Broadhurst and Ben Turk, who accounted for the dangerous opener Bradding for 14. Rob Straw was the pick of the bowlers with excellent figures of 1 for 18 off 3.

The bowlers were well backed by a solid fielding effort from all six players. As well as two run-outs, Broadhurst took a good catch and Straw hurled himself around to great effect protecting the back wall.

For the first match of the season – and with no training – this was a splendid effort by the u16s. Things to work on next time would include hitting the ball with soft hands into the gaps and watching those leg-side wides, but nothing should detract from a terrific display by a young side first time out. Well done lads!

Petersfield vs Portsmouth Priory

Petersfield win by 32 runs

The senior side then made it two out of two with an ultimately comfortable victory over the teachers of Portsmouth Priory. Petersfield's innings owed a lot to Shaun Blanks (31), skipper Will Rice (18) and, especially, a fighting 25 n.o. from Rory Newman when runs were really needed at the end, but a total of 111 looked perhaps a little light.

Maybe because of that, 'Field's attack tore into their opponents, who had no answer to Blanks (2 for 10), Charles and Rice, who each picked up a wicket. Newman finished things off in style with 2 for 10 and took an outstanding reflex catch at square leg. Austin, Rice and Charles also clung on to some sharp chances and Thomas completed a rapid stumping off Rice.

So it was Petersfield who deservedly finished top of the class with six gold stars, with Priory facing detention and a school report saying 'must try harder'....

All in all, a fantastic start to the indoor season by both Petersfield sides.