Lightning win final game to finish 2nd in league

Cranleigh U9 'Lightning' won their final game of the season on Sunday with a thrilling 7 run win over Normandy at the CCG to confirm their position as league runners up [to Chiddingfold].

After skipper William Martin won the toss and chose to bowl first on a hot and steamy morning, the Cranes started well with both Henry Pearce and Alfie Brewer bowling well to contain their batters, the latter only conceding 2 runs from his 2 overs. Stan Brading kept up the pressure, taking a wicket with his very first ball, as did Noah Johnson who bowled a tidy line and length. Harry Hastie bowled an economical 3 overs, William Martin claimed a wicket with one that turned sharply and Rupert Butler bowled an excellent spell which saw him claim two wickets, one of which was an incredible catch by Harry Hastie at mid off. The innings ended with some lusty blows from the Normandy batters coupled with some fine death bowling by Will Hamblin, and the innings ended on a net score of 284.

The Cranleigh reply didn't start well when Stan Brading was bowled with the first ball on the innings, however both he and Henry Pearce managed to steady the ship and put on a solid 14 runs for the first pair, with Henry striking two great boundaries. Noah Johnson and Harry Hastie came in next and put on a further 20 together with the loss of only one more wicket against some tight bowling. Rupert Butler and William Martin kept up the pressure on the Normandy fielders and bowlers with some excellent running between the wickets, putting on 19 together despite the loss of 3 wickets. That left Alfie Brewer and Will Hamblin the task of scoring 31 off the final 5 overs, and they did it in style with more excellent running between the wickets and some great boundary hitting from Hamblin, however the result could have gone the other way as 2 or 3 catches went down late on.

So an excellent game of cricket to round off an excellent season, on a day that will live long in the memory as it was the coaches birthday too .... and Ben Stokes also did quite well for England!