Optimists Cricket Club

Last Sunday junior cricket took another step forward with the participation of an Optimists Under 15 team in the Belgian League. Two matches of 20 overs per side were played at the Royal Brussels Cricket Club.

In the morning match Royal Brussels struggled for runs on a rain-drenched outfield. The openers took eleven overs to reach 50 and steady bowling prevented the middle order from improving the rate. Wickets tumbled regularly in the last few overs, leaving a final score of 75 for 7.

The Optimists set off confidently helped by 19 from Charlie Ramsden. However, from 27 for 0 we slipped to 39 for 4. Fortunately the run rate was not an issue and Girish and Puneet Vyas steered their way carefully towards the target. Both even managed a boundary as they doubled the score exactly, to bring up victory by six wickets with nine balls to spare.


The British School of Brussels provided the opposition in the afternoon. The Optimists batted first in much more pleasant conditions. After another confident start, led by a quick-fire 25 from Timothy Barker, we slumped from 46 for 0 to 58 for 6. However, our depth of batting now proved vital. Scampering singles and byes Alex Martin and Mark Radley added 30 crucial runs for the seventh wicket. Inevitably there were run-outs as batsmen sacrificed themselves in the chase for a bonus point. Some lusty blows and hectic running achieved this in the last over and the innings closed on 102 for 9.

A wicket in the first over gave us a great start and the School never quite recovered. Although managing around four an over they lost wickets at vital moments and two smart stumpings by William Cope removed two of their big hitters. Although their main batsman stayed until near the end the target remained just out of reach. The innings closed on 91 for 8 leaving the Optimists winners by 11 runs.


Both matches were tight as the momentum changed. They could have gone either way. Although a few names have been mentioned these two victories were the result of a team effort, with everyone playing his part.