Ross U15s secured a good victory against Corse and Staunton at The Park, on Tuesday, 8th July, to strengthen their lead at the top of the table. So far they are unbeaten and with one game left to play, they are guaranteed to finish on top of the Leadon Vale Youth Cricket League. This success will be added to their recent Herefordshire Under 15 cup win against Colwall. A brief break in the weather allowed the game to proceed and Ross batted first having won the toss. A strong batting line up saw Harry King hit a quick and confident 20 runs before retiring, whilst his opening partner James Tiffin (3) was bowled by a good ball from Corse's opening bowler J Walker. Aaron Tragaskes and Charles Hiram joined the attack with some convincing play that earned them both 23 runs each and respective retirements. Gabriel Warwick looked in good form and totted up 13 runs before being well caught in the deep by the first of two good catches by C Gresty. Ian Howie was looking to build on earlier batting performances and amassed a confident 19 runs before being caught by C Gresty near the boundary. Alex Davies added two more and Ed Cinderey (6) was unlucky to be run out by a good piece of fielding as the Ross team pushed the score to a challenging total of 142 for 7 off 18 overs. The best of the visitors' bowling came from J. Brown (14-3) and S. Gresty (8- 0). In reply Corse and Staunton started strongly with Wyatt and Dannett, before Howie struck with a super delivery to take the key wicket of nifty keeper Dannett (7), and shortly afterwards Gresty fell to a great run out following a long and accurate throw to the stumps by Howie from the boundary. Wyatt was unbeaten on 21 (retired), as was Moreton (20) who fought hard amid tight bowling from Howie (6-1), Mair (6-0), and Warwick (7-1). Strong batting in the middle order saw J Walker retire at 20 runs and Dudfield getting 10 before being caught off a good ball from Alex Davies. Both Matt Young (15-0) and D Barnard (11-2) bowled well with the latter picking up two good wickets. The remaining batsmen struggled to get anywhere near the required run rate and a good spell from King (8-0) at the end saw off any possibility of the visiting side threatening the Ross score. They finished on 117 off 20 overs, 25 runs behind the target set by Ross. Ross move on confidently to their final game at Apperley and to the Wellon cup finals, hoping to top off a very successful season to date.
