November 16th 2024, Lions U19 vs Falcons U19
The Lions had an early start on 16 November and headed up to our old hunting grounds in Sano to participate in the Japan Under 19s League play offs.
After beating the Sano Braves on 9 November to make it to the top 4 in the League, we’d peaked at the right time and it was time to face the unbeaten Tokyo Falcons.
Tim won the toss and elected to bat.
Tim and Kirren opened the batting for the Lions and were looking solid, with Tim opening his account with a cracking cut for 4. With the score on 4, we saw Kirren depart. With the score on 7, Tim belted one to covers to be caught. It was up to Taiga and Eric to settle the ship. The pair did just that but Eric misjudged one to be clean bowled, which brought Nived to the crease. Taiga and Nived looked at home on the centre wicket, with Taiga hitting a mammoth 6 over mid on and three x 4s and Nived hitting two x 4s. Taiga fell for 27 off 35 after misjudging an off cutter which splayed the stumps. The scoring then got a bit bogged down but Pratyush was as flamboyant as ever, playing some nice scoring shots.
After 20 overs, the Lions were 6-86. Would this be enough?
The bowlers were certainly on the money, with Timmy pitching one up to a Falcons opening who hit it straight down Eric’s throat. Great catch Eric! With the Falcons at 1/1, we were in with a sniff.
Kirren was next to strike, with a wonderful in-swinger, trapping their Number 3 in front, 2-28. We were certainly in the hunt now! Juto was bowling his looping leggies and we saw our old favourite; Bowled Juto, Stumped Taiga! 3-47.
The Falcons then took to our bowling, and after some power hitting from their other opener, they hit the target in 10 overs. Was a very valiant effort from all the boys.
Lions man of the match to Taiga with 27 off 35 and two stumpings.
Stats: Highest scoring batsman : Taiga (27), best batting strike rate : Pratyush (80), most wickets: Timmy, Kirren, Juto & Sam (1 each), best bowling economy : Eric (4.5)
Player of the Match: N/A
Team: Eric Harrison, Ethan Williams, Juto Ball, Kirren Hollow, Mantra Joshi, Nived Namibar, Pratyush Bist, Sam Robinson, Taiga Hague (Wicket Keeper), Tasuku Imada, Timothy Moore (Captain).
