Under 15s - 2008 Season

Croydon Schools' U15s 176  South London Schools' U15s 104 (18th July)

A sparkling innings of 81 by Edenham High School's Michael Ridley went a long way to Croydon Schools' Cricket Association's Under 15s retaining the Jack Hobbs Trophy in the annual fixture against South London Schools at the Brit Oval on Friday.

Michael Ridley

Croydon got off to one of their worst starts in the 37 years history of the fixture, being 12 for 3 at one stage, and edging their way to a rocky 36 for 6.

Coming at number five, Ridley found a willing partner in Hammad Azam (Haling Manor) who made 20. But when Azam holed out at mid-wicket Croydon had subsided to 81 for 7, in this 40 overs a side encounter.

Another Croydon wicket fell cheaply, and with the score on 104 for 8 off 28 overs Croydon knew they still had a lot to do if they were going to have a useful total to defend and at the same time save them from embarrassment.

But Ridley and Croydon's only county player, Aman Shinwari (Harris Academy at South Norwood) seized their opportunity in dramatic fashion, putting on 45 in only 5 overs. Shinwari made 22, including two sixes and two fours, departing with the score on 149 for 9 off 33 overs.  Ridley was not in any mood to surrender, registering a defiant approach, hitting four sixes and taking the Croydon total to 176. Ridley, and partner, Jack Coles (Archbishop Tenison's), plundered 19 off the 34th over.

Croydon finished on a respectable 176 all out, with Ridley being last out being caught at long on, aiming for another big hit.

In reply, South London got off to a start similar to that of Croydon, slipping to 19 for 4 in the eleventh over.

Croydon's opening pace bowlers, Raffiiulah Amadi and Hammad Azam proved difficult to score off, but Shinwari did the substantial damage, achieving significant breakthroughs and returning figures of 4 for 33.  His performance, being the best in Croydon representative matches this season, puts him in line for the John Rice Memorial Award.

With the South London score on 54 for 7 off 20 overs, Ridley's joy was evident for all to see, when he took a wicket in the first over of his well-flighted off-spinners, reducing South London to 54 for 8.

For a brief period South London showed some defiance but Coles took two wickets, and South London were dismissed for 104 with eight overs in hand.

Croydon Team Manager, David Lomas, commented on Croydon's never-say-die approach, and the composition of the two sides. For the second year in succession Croydon's line-up consisted of only boys at state schools within the borough, whereas South London (drawn from players at schools in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth) included six players from independent schools.

Croydon coach, Roger Coles (Selsdon Cricket Club) was ecstatic with Croydon's performance, especially, their recovery from such a disastrous start, and the bowlers who put the brakes on South London's reply.

The cup, commemorating Jack Hobbs, a legend in his time was presented by Surrey's captain and Croydonian, Mark Butcher.

Sujit Dadar receiving the Hobbs Trophy
from Mark Butcher

Croydon Schools' Under 15s

Croydon:  Brandon Kenlock, Antony Starnes, Michael Edwards, John Foggarty (all St Joseph's College), Sujit Dadar (Riddlesdown), Michael Ridley (Edenham), Josh Peck (Woodcote), Hammad Azam, Rafiullah Ahmadi (both Haling Manor), Matthew Winter, Jack Coles (both Archbishop Tenison's), Aman Shinwari (Harris Academy-South Norwood)

Croydon Schools' Under 15s 247 for 8  Addiscombe CC Under 15s 142 for 6 (18th June)

Croydon Schools' Cricket Association's Under 15s proved too strong for Addiscombe Colts U15s when the teams met in a friendly match at Addiscombe Cricket Club last Wednesday.

The Schools' side posted a massive 247 off their 30 overs with seven players reaching 30. The most aggressive innings came from Aman Shinwari (Harris at South Norwood) who hit 30 in double quick time, with two sixes and four fours.

Only opener Chris Hurrion (Archbishop Tenison's) came to terms with the opposition's pace attack, top scoring with 45 as the Croydon team won by 105 runs.

Croydon Schools' Under 15s 141  London Schools' Under 15s 142 for 6 (6th May)

Not even a fine unbeaten innings of 49 not out by St Joseph's College pupil, Brandon Kenlock could prevent Croydon Schools' Cricket Association's Under 15s losing to visitors London Schools at Trinity School on Monday when the CSCA. Began their programme of representative matches.

In a limited overs game of 50 overs per side, Kenlock became one of the first Croydon players in any representative side to carry his bat.

Kenlock showed fine footwork and stroke play but got bogged down after lunch, adding only three runs. As the overs ticked by he was able to find only one partner of merit, the ebullient Adam Shinwari (Harris at South Norwood) who bludgeoned his way to 25, which took the score on to 130 for 7 and eventual total of 141 all out in the last over.

Both Croydon team manager, David Lomas, and coach, Roger Coles, felt that a total of 160/170 would have been a more challenging target, but Croydon began their task with some degree of optimism, with quick bowlers, Shinwari and Jack Coles (Archbishop Tenison's) reducing the opposition to 18 for 2 off seven overs.

But although Croydon skipper, Sujit Dadar (Riddlesdown) turned to nine bowlers, London reached their target without too much difficulty and won with four wickets in hand, and nine overs unused.

Croydon Schools' Under 15s v London Schools' Under 15s on 6th May

Croydon:  Asad Bajwa, Brandon Kenlock, Antony Starnes, Gautham Rambath (St Joseph's College) (all St Joseph's), Jack Coles, Matthew Winter (both Archbishop Tenison's), Michael Ridley (Edenham) Sujit Dadar (Riddlesdown), Jack Johnson (Woodcote), Aman Shinwari (Harris at South Norwood), Cian Sutcliffe (Trinity)

Further information from David Lomas on 020 8656 8857 or email: dalomas@tiscali.co.uk

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Thursday, 28 August, 2008

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