U15 South Essex District Final- 20 overs

Orsett & Thurrock 123 for 9

Sunday September 5th, Belhus won a tightly contested final on a famous day for the club at North Stifford. Belhus CC hosted the SECPG Youth finals day with a Belhus side reaching all three South Essex District finals.

The U15 South Essex District Cricket Final featured, home side, Belhus CC and our neighbours from across town, Orsett and Thurrock CC.

Belhus CC lost the toss and were put in to bat. Initially, the visitor's bowling attack was at its fiercest and the Belhus opening batsmen Gus Philpot (21 runs) and Lewis Blake (6 runs) did very well to repulse this bowling attack and score runs.

Number 4 Belhus batsman, Aidan Fourie (23 runs), entered the fray and to cheers from a largely partisan home crowd, Fourie boomed out four, four run boundaries in short order to get the visitor's fielders scurrying off to defend their boundary.

Belhus' Robert Healy (22 runs), Brandon Millard (18 runs) and Henry Overy (16 runs) were emboldened and Belhus went on to build up an average enough final tally of 131 runs.

On the turnaround, Belhus' skipper Overy removed Brazier for a duck but Solanki retired for a fine 36 and Orsett & Thurrock were well set until Garrett holed out to Gus Philpot in the deep off the bowling of Callum Constantine to make a vital breakthrough.

Orsett & Thurrock wickets then tumbled as Philpot took 3 for 15 and Sammy Fairweather and Tyler Robertson picked up one each. Shourish Subramaniam made a brave effort with a powerful 25 runs to bring Orsett & Thurrock back into the game.

The key moment was an amazing direct hit run out by Gus Philpot from the boundary that removed Orsett & Thurrock's danger man Callum Greene.

Orsett & Thurrock needed 16 runs off the last over and fell just short with Belhus the winners by 8 runs in a closely fought contest.

The standard of play was a great credit to both sides and augurs well for the future of the game locally as both Thurrock clubs continue to invest in Youth cricket.

Prior to the U15s Final, Belhus CC u13s tied their U13s final on 106 runs apiece with Benfleet only to lose on countback of wickets lost. Benfleet scored 106/4 whereas Belhus were 106/5. Sport can be cruel like that sometimes. There is a lot of talent in this Belhus CC u13 team and they will have their day soon enough.

The early morning South Essex District Final played at North Stifford saw the indomitable Belhus U11s take on and beat Westcliff-on-Sea CC. This was Belhus' very first u11 South Essex District title and many of these Belhus stars were playing hardball cricket for the first time this year so much credit goes to Glen Hart, Ryan Worley and their Young Leaders coaching team who have worked very hard with these Belhus youngsters over the summer.