The U15's entertained local rivals Ilkley this Sunday and really showed what hard work and teamwork can achieve.

Due to a few absences this week, the BRCC team included 2 great little prospects from the U13's in Tom Hewitt and Gus Hastings. I'm not sure who won the toss (forgot to ask) but we fielded first. Heavy overnight rain had dampened and slowed the wicket and outfield, so patience and a tight line and length were the order of the day, and thats exactly what we got. After a good warm up session all the lads were loose and desperate to put the disappointment of last weeks agonising defeat behind them and register their first win.

Despite Ilkley fielding a number of younger players this week, they still looked a strong unit with the opening batsmen looking in good form but, some good tight bowling by opening pair Tom Revell and Ben Ravensdale combined with some great fielding by everyone, restricted the score to just a couple of runs an over. Ben was the first to strike when Captain H led by example and took a great low catch at cover to dismiss one of Ilkley's danger men and after that they never really recovered. Captain H changed the bowling regularly and set some great fields to frustrate and confuse the Ilkley batsmen into mistakes, and it worked a treat. The wickets really started to tumble when Pete eventually bought himself into the attack, he set a great field, pitched the ball up and was rewarded with 4 quick wickets more or less destroying Ilkley's middle order. The lower order came, had a go, and then went as the BRCC bowlers continued the good line and length and Ilkley were dismissed for just 74.

Now, if we learned anything from last weeks encounter, its to "not count our chickens before they've hatched" and whilst we'd done well in the field, the job was only half done. This week Captain H promoted Dan Grange to open alongside  last weeks batting hero Ben Thorp (we're not sure whether Dans request to open had anything to do with the arrival of 5 young 'Grange Groupies' !?!?). Not much I can say about the next 40 mins except 'WOW' both batted with great maturity, skill and patience. The running between the wickets was assured and faultless and despite a great effort by the Ilkley bowlers and fielders, they could do absolutely nothing about it. Both batsmen looked in total control and saw BRCC home to a tremendous 10 wicket win. I think Dan finished with 46 and Ben about 20 (don't quote me on those!)

Well, what a difference a week makes! Congratulations to all the players on a great team effort.

Now don't get carried away, it was a great win, but we still have work to do and improvements to make.

PS. Great photo of this weeks hero's (taken by yours truely!)

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Ilkley 74a/o; N Jenkinson 38, P Hewitt 4 for 11, T Revell 2 for 10
BRCC 77 for 0; D Grange 46*, B Thorp 15*

BRCC Won by 10 wickets