An inspired all-round display of cricket by St Matthews led to a comfortable victory in the opening fixture of the Staffordshire Youth Cricket League season.
Putting Codsall in to bat first, Burntwood were soon amongst the wickets with Kieren Orchard (1-9) striking first with an LBW. Alex Grundy and Joe Thompson both snapped up catches for Tom Hamill (2-10) and captain Matty Hipkiss (2-6) added to the domination with his two wickets, James Deuter holding onto a tough catch and the second a clean bowled from an exquisite delivery.
Dylan Roberts (2-1) mounted the misery on Codsall with a brace of wickets in his first over, Shaun Latham taking the first catch and Roberts himself claiming the second as a caught and bowled before Joe Thompson (1-1) turned his arm and joined the wickets-party by splaying the batsman’s stumps with a delivery of sheer pace.
But despite the excellent bowling display it was The Bats’ fielding which led the way with Alex Deuter in inspired form behind the stumps and both Dylan Roberts and Matty Hipkiss adding to the magnificent five outfield catches with two sublime run-outs helping bring the Codsall innings to a close on 31 all out.
In reply Burntwood took little time and no prisoners as Kieren Orchard gave a batting demonstration to one and all on his way to a powerful 24 not out. Tom Hamill (1) was the Burntwood player to lose their wicket as he fell to an excellent caught and bowled by Codsall’s Thomas Howell which left Keaton Dobson (5) to join Orchard at the crease as Burntwood cruised home by nine wickets.
Coach George Farmer said:
“This was an excellent game by two talented teams of players, but the Burntwood lads proved to be too strong on the day and have deserved their victory after working so hard on all aspects of their play over the winter break.”