Leeds and Broomfield Juniors, Under 11s fell just 10 runs short of a memorable victory in the final as a very good Marden team completed the double of League and Cup on Monday.
 
On a cloudy morning Marden won the toss and batted first scoring 308 for 5 despite a much improved fielding performance by LBJ, the highlight of which was a direct hit run out by Adam Hunt.  Rylie Turner took 2 for 8 and Adam Hunt 1 for 6.
 
In reply LBJ struggled against some fine bowling early on and the innings didn't gain momentum until Rylie Turner scored 19.  Just when LBJ were getting back into the game 3 quick wickets fell and from there on they were chasing a lost cause finishing with 298 for 8 a brave but fruitless effort.
 
All in all a very good season, finishing runners up in both competitions which was more than the Coach expected at the start of the season!
 
Team:

• Adam Hunt(Captain)
• Paul Morgan(Wicketkeeper)
• Sam Smith
• Annys Fearon
• James Nurden
• Rylie Turner
• Sam Avis
• Tom Lennard
• Matthew Connell
• Zoe Moyler

Leeds and Broomfield Under 11s warmed up for the Weald of Kent Cup Final with a hard fought 13 run victory over Bapchild.
 
LBJ batted first and performed steadily throughout their innings totalling 300 for 5 in their 20 overs.  Rylie Turner top scored with 22 and was given good support from Henry Buckland who made 16 and Tom Lennard who compiled 12.  L Whitehouse took 3 for 15.
 
In reply Bapchild got off to a flier thanks mainly to some very poor fielding and had reached 259 after just 8 overs but once the slower bowlers came on the game changed and LBJ squeezed the life out of the Bapchild innings.  The pressure began to tell and wickets fell on a regular basis with Samuel Avis taking 2 for 10.  Bapchild's final score was 287 for 7 to give LBJ perhaps a rather fortuitous victory.
 
Team:

• Adam Hunt(capt)
• Tom Lennard(wk)
• Matthew Connell
• Rylie Turner
• James Nurden
• Paul Morgan
• Suarav Parmar
• Sam Smith
• Sam Avis
• Henry Buckland

The annual LBJ Under 11s fixture against Kent Girls under 11s was another enjoyable and valuable match. Not for the first time, the girls won. The match played at the Stonehouse Field in St Mary's Platt. Our thanks go to David Sear and the Kent team mums for their hospitality, including a full tea for all players and most of the many spectators! But back to the cricket ...

With many players away on holiday, we improvised a team of varying experience captained by Monte McCague. With a score of only 54 all out, we did not make enough runs to test the depth of the Kent team's batting. However, there were some very encouraging performances for LBJ.

Batting first and with 25 overs to play, our start was frenetic. Several catches were offered in the early overs and two went to hand, accounting for William Smith and Samuel Avis for just one run each. Monte McCague survived and settled down to play a solid innings but it was some time before he found a reliable partner.

John Goodwin was well bowled by our own Zoe Moyler for 3. With the innings already in deep trouble, Rylie Turner contrived to run himself out by half the length of the pitch. Sam Place showed determination but could not keep out an off break that turned sharply. It was not until Tom Millington joined Monte that some control was established. Tom supported Monte well until he was caught for 6. Monte had to retire on 25 but came back in after Aaron Frith, Tim Stanbury and Mikey Jensen had all been dismissed without troubling the scorers. Cameron Muir held on with Monte until he was out for 3 in the 20th over. Monte was not out 35 at the end.

The bowling and fielding was much better. Rylie Turner redeemed himself with two good opening overs. Aaron Frith bowled with pace and accuracy, taking a wicket in his second over. He also took a fine catch at square leg to dismiss Annys Fearon off Samuel Avis' bowling. Tom Millington took 2 for 8 in his two overs. Mikey Jensen was keeping wicket for the first time, showing great promise. Mikey took a catch for one of Tom's wickets and executed a run out in the same over. Sam Place fielded very well and looked the part. Monte McCague took 2 for 9 in his three overs. He also set good fields and encouraged the younger players well.

However, it has to be said that the girls won comfortably. They reached 57 for 7 off just 15 overs. There was time at the end for Sam Place to bowl his flighted leg breaks, hitting the stumps once, and for John Goodwin to show that he could be as accurate as anyone.

John Higgs

Leeds and Broomfield Juniors were beaten by a strong Whitstable team in a highly competitive match on Sunday 2nd August.

After heavy overnight rain, a hot sunny morning meant that it would be an advantage to field first and then chase in better batting conditions but unfortunately Sam Smith, deputising as captain for Adam Hunt who was playing in the Under 13 match at Burberry Lane, lost the toss and we had to bat first.

LBJ's innings got off to a disastrous start! Annys Fearon was given out caught behind for nought and when James Nurden and Sam Smith were bowled by successive balls for ducks the score stood at 13 for 3. Adam Chappell-Tay withstood some hostile bowling from Dale but when he was fourth man out the score had only advanced to 29.

Then came the fightback! Paul Morgan joined Rylie Turner and they batted beautifully to rebuild the innings. Paul was very cautious early on but once he settled he played some good shots and as ever his running and calling was sharp, if a little risky, as illustrated later on when he ran out Zoe Moyler.

Rylie timed the ball well and retired not out on 31 and with Paul retiring on 30 LBJ eventually made 129 for 7 off of their 25 overs.

Whitstable were always in control during their run chase until the end when a flurry of wickets caused them a few problems. Opener Dale made 32 retired and K Appleby made 26 but from 121 for 4 they got the jitters and collapsed to 129 for 7 before securing victory off the penultimate ball. Zoe Moyler was the best bowler taking 2 for 22.

Team:

• Sam Smith(capt)
• Paul Morgan(wk)
• James Nurden
• Annys Fearon
• Adam Chappell-Tay
• Rylie Turner
• Zoe Moyler
• Suarav Parmar
• Cameron Muir
• Henry Buckland
• Sam Avis

Sam Smith (capt)
Paul Morgan (wk)
Alex Smith
Annys Fearon
Sam Avis
James Nurden
Josh Aucamp
Sam Place
Cameron Muir
Tom Millington

LBJ got back to winning ways in a competitive match against Bapchild in which a lot of younger players were given an oppourtunity to show what they could do.

Sam Smith was captain for the first time and did a fine job.  He won the toss and inserted the opposition who compiled 268 for 7 in their 20 overs, Fraser Brown making 20 and Jake Glee 21.  Sam Smith took 3 wickets as did Tom Millington on debut.  Alex Smith marked his debut by taking a wicket with his first ball.

Chasing 269 LBJ got off to a solid start but a clutch of wickets towards the end put pressure on the last pair Sam Smith and James Nurden but they responded well and added 39 without losing a wicket Sam scoring 27 to cap an excellent all round performance and steering his side to a 19 run victory.

Well done to everybody from their coaches, especially those making their debuts!

Nigel Morgan