Next Gen success

With such a large junior section, a Club focus over the last couple of years has been the continuing development of our Boys & Girls Academy section, ensuring that we have opportunities for all those who wish to continue and hopefully eventually form a core part of our adult teams.

We now have nearly 100 Boys in our 16-21 Academy and although the Girls side is smaller due to the more recent growth of their game, significant numbers are coming through.

Last Thursday and Friday saw notable home wins for both U19 sides in their T20 competitions. On Thursday, a very young Girls U19 team beat Reigate Priory in a nail biter. Priory scored 159 for no loss in their 20, with their County opening bat retiring not out at 60. Spencer, captained by Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones overhauled the total with one ball to spare. The chase was possible due to an opening partnership of 75, powered by the skipper’s 55 off 26 balls but it was still odds against with 23 runs required off the final two overs. Frankie Martin (U15) scored two fours in three balls of a total of 15 from the overs and then Maia Lough (U16) hit two more fours off the 4th and 5th ball of the last over to win it.

Friday saw the Boys U19 Spitfires play Sunbury. Batting first, after a tricky start, captain Freddie Eltringham and Luke Cunningham increased the run rate and a late surge saw Spencer to 143 off their 20. Sunbury started well and were easily up with the rate required when reaching 52-2 but as Spencer bowlers put the squeeze on backed up with aggressive fielding, wickets fell steadily and when Sunbury suffered a collapse from 87-4 to 97-9, the game was over, they finished on 116-9, 27 runs short.

Friday’s match also saw a trial of our new live streaming technology which we hope next season will enable all Fieldview home matches during our 150th anniversary to be broadcast via Youtube. Until then, if it’s a lovely evening, check out our Play Cricket page to see if there is a match going on – Spencer isn’t the worst place to have a drink as the sun sets.