Horley Under-8s Saturday 19th May, Quality Street, East Surrey Colts League

Merstham Under-8s 347 (155-2) (20 overs), Horley Under-8s 286 (126-10) (20 overs). Merstham won by 61 runs.

Jack James hit an astonishing 46 in 16 deliveries during his four-over stint at the crease in this pairs match, but it was not enough to give Horley’s youngest team a win in their first game.
Merstham already had two matches under their belts and they put pressure on Horley’s first pair with accurate bowling supported by able fielding around the wicket. 
Despite this Peter Artemenkov found the boundary twice with fine blows to leg. 
Alfie Warden picked up where he left off, hitting the first six of the year in a fine innings of 15. 
Horley’s next couple of pairs struggled to get bat to ball before Thomas Jowett and Jack James took to the crease and put on what is very possibly a pairs club record of 57 in four overs.
The momentum couldn’t be maintained and with a flurry of wickets, which take four off the score each time, Horley ended up on net 286 (126).
Consistent, strong batting throughout Merstham’s line up saw them comfortably achieving their target by making net 347 (155) despite wickets for opening bowler Artemenkov (1-8) and the fast improving leg spinner Shivesh Anguraj (1-9).
Despite the defeat, the young Horley players all enjoyed their experience and will be back for more.​

Jack James (U8)