On this page will appear important team and match information for the Junior sections of our club.
Please make sure you visit this page regularly for up-dates.
Superb photos of the Under 10's in action now available.
Taken by one of the parents (Gary Winfield) during the season, we now have over 100 marvellous photos of the lads in action now available.
For child protection reasons, we cannot display any clear versions of those photos on this website unfortunately, but a display of these
fantastic photos are available to parents and other family members. A4 or A5 sized, high quality copies
of the individual player photos can be purchased as part of the Marathon
Event Appeal.
A Review of the Blunham Under 12's 2008 Season
As I’m officially rubbish at writing match reports throughout the season, I believe it is only fair I review the
under 12s efforts in an end of season spectacular …….below!
The first training session I had the pleasure to attend didn’t overly fill me with that much confidence for the
forthcoming season, I had several new players nervous of playing with a hard ball and the more experienced players
seeming to have forgotten everything we had practiced in the previous season. The grand finale of the session had
to be seeing Mike deciding to neglect the bat in his hands and try and ‘knee’ the ball toward square leg, also
giving Mike a chance to try out Bedford hospitals X-ray machine as his knee quickly increased to the size of a
basketball. To say I left the session a little worried about the 2008 season is an understatement! One player in
hospital, too many new names to remember and a fellow coach telling me how rubbish everyone was!
Putting all the events of the indoor nets behind us our first game was away to Kempston Hammers. Sadly I was
unable to attend due to work commitments, but desperately waited for a text from Kevin detailing the result. It
came through ‘Lost by 5 wickets off the last ball. Mike tried to catch one in his mouth, Blood everywhere!’
Obviously a little disappointed I felt I should first ring to see if Mike was OK and pressed speed dial 6 on my
phone ‘Mike Emergency’ (quite useful to have actually whenever Mike is concerned). Over the next week the reports
I got back from various people connected with the club were extremely positive. From what I heard, we probably
should have won the game but ultimately compared to 12 months previous we were like a new team, with the exception
of Comedy Mike’s attempted mouth catch.
Somewhat inspired by the previous games result we then moved on to the mighty Biddenham, another team who beat us
a little too easy the year before. However they had not counted on Big Jack blasting a quick 28 and Maya, an
unbeaten 32* all topped off by skipper Will clipping the final ball of the innings away for four more useful runs.
Maya again then starred with the ball too as Blunham won by 9 runs! Again at work I waited for the result to be
texted through to me and on receiving the confirmation of victory, it’s rumoured I was to be seen dancing round
the garden centre staff room, with a celebratory can of apple tango.
For our third game of the season we travelled to Harrold (I actually was able to attend this one and even managed
to find the ground having only got lost twice!). The weather was clearly going to be an issue as it was drizzling
constantly after heavy rain overnight. Now for the record, I consider myself a generally cheerful person, however
after managing to soak both my shoes and socks within the first five minutes of the game, I did spend the next half
an hour rueing the day I had ever decided that this coaching malarkey sounded a good idea. My mood wasn’t helped by
some basic fielding errors from Blunham. Despite an improvement in our performance, it was clear that Harrold were
a much stronger cricketing unit than us and they easily took control of the game. Two great moments from skipper
Will though did give us two run outs as Harrold finished on 102 for 2. In reply we struggled with the conditions.
Olli looked good but fell cheaply as did Mike and Josh, but one highlight had to be Deryn carrying his bat for 22
including the best cover drive I’ve seen since Kevin Sheath destroyed Eaton Socon in 2004! Also a mention should
go to Alex for a defiant innings at the end, a player whom I know will always give 100% whatever I ask of him.
Ultimately though, a 25 run loss (for the record we bowled 26 wides).
Game four of our season saw us finally play a home game, as we welcomed Ickwell to Phoenix Gardens. I had managed
to convince my boss that I didn’t need to start work until half ten so managed to organise and see the first 7
overs of the game. By the time I had left the ground I had already seen 4 wickets as skipper Will bowled full and
straight and Holly prove difficult to handle on Blunham’s bouncy track. Ickwell were clearly a young side and
were dismissed for just 50, in reply Blunham’s openers of Deryn and Big Jack sealed a ten-wicket win after just
7 overs. Ickwell though were keen to play on and this allowed Jack to retire on 30 and keeper Ross to hit an
unbeaten 32. It also allowed several younger members of our squad to have a bat, which can only help their long-term
development. However, the first ten wicket win of my coaching career and hopefully a sign of the long term future
of the club.
Our next game against Queens Park was cancelled as they were unable to field a team. This meant we had an impromptu
inter club game instead. All I remember from this was the awesome bacon roll I managed to acquire and umpires
Pates and Jiggins offering to umpire the game. Oh and of course Alex smashing the ball everywhere including one
lusty blow ending up stopping by the door to Bob’s shed.
Our next game against Bed Town B was washed out leaving our final game against Bedford town A to be the conclusion
of our season. Sadly though, we saved our worst performance of the season till the end. We ended up chasing 137 for
victory, but lost 3 wickets before we had a run on the board. Mike P, Josh and Angus did give the score some
respectability, but sadly a disappointing end to the season.
So on reflection I would have to say more positives than negatives, clearly far too many WIDES didn’t help our
cause throughout the season. However individual moments of quality such as Will’s run out at Harrold; Holly’s
opening over against Ickwell and the constant ‘never say die’ attitude of all the players made them never give up
whatever was thrown at them! Finally some thank-you’s. Firstly to Marge and Swanny for their coaching of the team,
honestly I couldn’t have done it on my own. Also to Kev Sheath whose input made my life lot easier, as did Chris
Boulding, who would happily come and score whenever and wherever I asked him too. I should also thank Tasha and
Kate for their ‘help’ throughout the season it was ……unique. Finally I need to thank both the players and their
families. Without doubt we still have a long way to go, but with the player's commitment and the support of the
parents there is no reason we can’t compete against any other side in the league. Roll on 2009!
Dan ‘Cubby’ Coverdale
Mon 21st July 2008 - U14 XI Vs. Kempston Hammers (County Youth League)
With Connor and Malinga away, new Captain Pato took up the reins, and did the first thing correctly – win the toss.
We amassed a decent score of 148-7, Spendlove a typically belligerent 50 and Harper 27 not out. In reply Kempston
Hammers finished about halfway to this score for the loss of six wickets, Harper taking 3-3, as the ball was tossed
around for everyone to have a bowl.
Thanks to under 12’s Deryn and Will for playing, with key members of our side unavailable, your enthusiasm is a
credit to you and Coach Cubby.
A final thought: When you go on a ship, how many captains do you have? Just the one, so next time listen to him, the ship can’t steer itself without one.
- Mr Tricks
Mon 14th July 2008 - U14 XI vs Ickwell U14 XI (County Youth League)
Blunham 143-9, good knock from Connor 41, and excellent batting towards the end from Boulders 34* and Toby 22
from just 9 balls.
Ickwell 70-8, Connor 2-2, Rob 2-10 and a direct hit run out from Pato.
Good batting towards the end of our innings from Boulders and Toby got us to a good score, despite some comedy
wickets and good catches in the middle of our innings, have to value our wickets more. Shame we couldn’t knock
over the tail in the last few overs when a couple of full and straight balls might have done the trick, but
overall a good performance, and good to see some others coming to the party with the bat. The talent is there,
just believe in yourselves.
- Mr Tricks
Tue 8th July 2008 - U14 XI vs Harrold U14 XI (County Youth League)
Harrold 108-3, good bowling in the main throughout the innings, the pick for me Benny Howlett.
Blunham 112-0, Spendlove 50ret, Heaps 35*, Harrington 15* the chase judged to perfection
An excellent performance, shows what we can achieve when we are all up for it.
Just one thing, watch for the ball spinning when fielding out on the boundary, particularly when square of the
wicket, and try to judge where the ball will end up after the ball has landed.
- Mr Tricks
Tue 1st July 2008 - U14 Vs Caldecote U14 (County Youth League)
Blunham 206-2, Heaps 50 ret, Harrington 36, Harper 33*, Parish 24, Pates 13* (from just five balls - and looking
very good)
Caldecote 92 all out, Jiggins 5-21, the 2nds teams favourite cult hero – Boulding 2-4
Excellent aggressive batting throughout our innings, Jack unlucky to play on after a great start, and Jordan
falling to a great catch the only two wickets to fall.The Caldecote reply was stifled early on by 5-21 from
Tom (yes, I have the match ball to give to you) including a terrific stumping off a first ball wide from Jack.
Too many wides in general, but an excellent performance nonetheless.
- Mr Tricks
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