HANLEY Castle started their Worcester Cricket Friendly League (8 a side pairs) season in the U10 competition with an exciting game last Sunday.

Batting first, all of the Hanley batsmen gave stubborn resistance avoiding giving their wickets away, which would lose five runs from the total. Openers Jim Owen and Sam Harler played confidently with Harler playing particularly well in his four overs. Will Chambers and Connor Fletcher also proved themselves excellent batsmen. Hanley posted a commendable 242, which after deductions set Victoria 228 to win.

Victoria started slowly against the accuracy of Rory Mathews and Harler and continued to struggle when the bowling changes were rung. All players having to bowl at least one over saw debutants Freddie Lloyd, Henry Clowes and Jo Pantling all giving of their very best. Hanley were to prove themselves equals of the great Jonty Rhodes with some spectacular direct throws from Mathews and the ever alert Fletcher to run out the middle order Victoria batsman.

It was left to the experience of Edward Franklin and Christopher Harler in the Victoria ranks to raise the score to a winning total but even then another run out left both teams and all spectators on tenterhooks for the final over which Victoria negotiated without further alarm to claim the victory.

Hanley and Upton man of the match was Sam Harler.

Hanley Castle and Upton U10s 242-3 (Net 227), Kidderminster Victoria 262-5 (Net 237). Victoria won by ten runs.