Yateley under 15 'A' lost the semi final of the West Surrey League going down by 32 runs against Merrow.

Merrow won the toss and batted. All seemed to be going well as Yateley bowled and fielded very well. Merrow managed only 66-9 off 20 overs with Patrick Gilham's 5 overs 3 maidens 1-7 probably the pick, certainly for economy. Alex Barker took 4-22,  Peter Wilson 1-20 and Tom Lawrence 1-11 as four bowlers each bowled five overs. Yateley were confident at the break but were clear there was more work to be done to reach the final.

How right we were! Merrow's very pacey opening bowlers each bowled their five overs out leaving Yateley 31-8 off 10 overs and we were finally 34 all out off only 12 overs. Nobody reached double figures (only one player did in the entire match). A sad end to the team's aspirations in this competition.

The Under 15 A beat Windsor this evening and now meet Merrow in the Semi-Final of the West Surrey League next week.

Windsor batted and were soon in trouble with Patrick Gilham (4-14) and Tom Lawrence (4-14) reducing them to 19-7 at one stage. Alex Barker and Jon Howells each took a wicket to complete the Windsor innings.

James Platt (21*) and James Shillingford (11*) got the runs in 8.2 overs to complete an early finish.

Congratulations to Jamie Gale!! With the North Hampshire Under 15 team needing a win to stay in with a chance of landing the County Cup, Jamie had the remarkable return of 5 wickets for 2 runs against the Channel Islands at Mays Bounty. Skipper Tom Lawrence had made 24 in North Hants 230 all out.

The Under 13's went out of the County Cup competition in the 2nd round at Hartley Wintney. Missing a few key players, we put up a very creditable performance as we had to chase a formidable 132 in 20 overs. Hartley Wintney bowled very straight and we did well to reach 110, and one time looked to be in with a good chance.

The U13's can at least now concentrate on maintaining their 100% league record in the big decider against Valley End.

The under 13s storm on with another excellent victory this time over Windsor by 8 wickets. Windsor had no answer to our attack led so well by Stuart Skeates. and they managed just 53 all out. We knocked off the runs comfortably for the loss of two wickets.

The under 13s, like the under15s, lead their division with a 100% win record and one match to go.

Oh dear!! A first defeat of the season for the Under 15s and sadly it came in the Sun Life National competition. And what a surprise it was as we ran up a seemingly invincible 132 for 2 with Tom Lawrence making a superb 73no, well supported by Patrick Gillam, Peter Wilson and John Howells. "Great effort but the job's only half done" warned Colin Justice at the interval. However, we produced our poorest bowling and fielding display for a long time to gift Cove a chance of victory as they needed one run off the last ball to win and we needed a dot ball. Amid unbearable tension a leg bye proved enough for Cove leaving us "to concentrate on the league!!" where we lead the table with one game left.

Another win against Camberley 'A' this time by the Under 13 A's, (following wins for the 11As and the 15As). We batted first and posted a good score of 110 all out. Camberley were never in the hunt after accurate bowling from Stuart Skeates and two wickets apiece for Matt Perry, Chris Tull and James Chandler and we ran out easy winners by 34 runs.

The Under 15 A side continued their winning streak with a seven wicket win over Horsley and Send to make it 5 wins out of 5. A win against Windsor next weekend will give the team their Divisional Championship of the West Surrey League. Fielding first, Yateley put their oponents under immediate pressure with another fine opening spell from Peter Wilson yielding 2-12 off 5 overs. Jamie Gale also bowled an excellent 5 overs, taking 3-13, including wickets from consecutive balls. The team fielded and bowled very competetively, with no chances missed. Horsley and Send finished on 66-8 off 20 overs. Yateley answered with a very measured response with openers Tom Lawrence (17) and Alex Barker (18) putting on 44 for the first wicket to put the match beyond doubt. Yateley finished on 68-3 from 17.3 overs to complete a very satisfactory morning against a high quality club.

Another win for the Under 11 A side this time against local rivals Camberley. Full details will be posted shortly

The Under 11 A team won a tense match against Lightwater on Sunday. Edward O'Connell bowled really well (3-11) to keep Lightwater to 294 (6 wickets lost). We needed over 60 with two pairs left (8 overs to go). Tim Moore chipped in with a good 14 and then a whirlwind partnership between Henry Wildy (20) and Tom O'Connell (24) saw us home by 8 runs at 306 (5 wickets lost) in a breathtaking finish. Well done lads but please remember that Brian has very little hair left to pull out these days!!!

The Under 15 A side beat close rivals Camberley by 9 runs.

Yateley batted first and were in trouble losing 2 early wickets. Chris Miller steadied the innings with 21 and Olly Briggs was left on 25 not out when the innings closed at 88-9. An excellent bowling and fielding performance (Peter Wilson 2-18 off 5, Pat Gilham 0-5 off 5, Chris Miller 2-10 off 5, Jamie Gale 1-29 off 5) saw Yateley successfully defend their modest total as Camberley finished their 20 overs on 79-6.

Yateley Under 15 A beat Valley End by just 10 runs.Yateley batted first and posted 123-6 off their 20 overs. Warren Grimsley made 34 and then Tom Phillips hammered 55 off 28 balls. Valley End looked in a strong position at 99-1 off 17 overs but Yateley reduced them to 113-6 off 20.

The Under 15 A side comfortably beat Frimley in the West Surrey League.

Yateley batted first and scored 124-8 off their 20 overs (Pat Gilham 31, Tom Phillips 18, Warren Grimsley 17). Frimley were all out for 45 in 12.2 overs.(Alex Barker 3-4, Jamie Gale 2-9, Lawrence Watts 2-11). A good all round performance from a very strong U15 side.

Good to see Tom Phillips back behind the stumps. His time is rather taken up these days as he has been selected for the England youth squad......at Hockey!! He won't therefore have time to keep wicket for Berkshire this year but you can't do it all Tom.

Five under 15s represented North Hampshire against East Hampshire and all made good contributions in a five wicket win. Tom Lawrence, who skippered the side, was unlucky to play on for a good 16 whilst Warren Grimsley (20) and Peter Wilson (30n.o.) saw the team home. Earlier Jamie Gale and Pat Gillam had got among the wickets as indeed had Peter and Warren. An excellent day for our lads and the North Hants side.

N.B. County sides are being announced and we will soon know which of our boys have made it. Watch this space for news as it comes in. North Hampshire squads will also be announced over the coming month for which there are also a lot of fingers crossed

Yateley Under 11 A team won convincingly against Camberley B on Sunday. A middle practice on Friday night seemed to work wonders as we ran up 134 for 1 in our 20 overs with Stuart Skeetes (28NO) and James Chandler (25no) and good knocks from Robert Clarke and Will Moore.

The fielding was electric as we dismissed Camberley for just 22 runs. Ed. Martin starred with the ball (3 for 3) supported by Tom White (2 for 6) and Brendon Grimsley (2 for 2). Jason had an excellent debut behind the stumps and hopefully the side can look forward to a good season in a league that we won last year.

There are tougher matches ahead, including the likely clincher against Camberley A side- keep practicing lads!!

Yateley's strong Under 15 squad will be hoping to go one better than last year's team who lost in the final of the West Surrey League.