The Development Squad travelled to Division One side Sutton for their cup semi final and were missing some of their regular players: Jordan, Kieran Waters, Jamie Ramwell, Niall Dunn and Ben Turner amongst others. Runi was drafted in to add some much needed experience to the batting line up but the lads were still hopeful of following in the second teams footsteps of reaching a cup final in 2016.

Glenn won the toss and elected to field first. Ryley and Rob Kelly opened the bowling. Ryley bowled very well finishing with figures of 0-15 from 8 overs but he deserved to take a wicket as he constantly had the batters in trouble. At the other end, Rob struggled to find his length but picked up two wickets including one very sharp caught and bowled chance low down - a great grab. Nathan and Connor replaced these two but Nathan struggled badly and only had 1 over which went for 12. Connor faired much better as he picked up 3-21 from his spell. This was one of the best bowling performances of Connors third team career so far as he varied his pace to good effect. Cameron Rich and TJ were the next bowling changes and both continued to keep the pressure on. Cameron picked up one wicket whilst TJ picked up three wickets. Seb had a couple of overs at the end with enough time to pick up one wicket for himself as well as getting smashed on the knee whilst fielding at cover off TJs bowling. For the most part the bowling was good - however 32 extras (24 wides) was a very poor effort and with Sutton finishing on 130 the total could have been much lower but for all the extras deliveries they benefitted from.... would this make the difference in the end?

Seb and Tyrese opened the batting and put on 20 or so before Tyrese was bowled. Cal Fletch was in next but he was caught for 0 trying to play an adventurous shot early in his innings. Runi was next in but he chopped on for 12. Seb then fell LBW after a slow and painful innings of only 16 runs. Ryley and Glenn put on the best partnership of the innings and looked to have put the lads in a winning position before Glenn was caught on the boundary for 29. Ryley soon followed for 25. The last few wickets all fell cheaply with Ron (0), Connor (3), Nathan (2) and Cameron (0) all going in relatively quick succession. TJ was left stranded not out on 4 despite his best efforts to see the game home. The scoreboard read 121 all out but the scorebook said 126 all out....

Heartbreak for the lads who fell 4 runs short. Cameron was given out caught behind despite his suggestions he didn't hit it (he didn't hit the ball, only hit his pad) but the umpires decision is final. 26 extras from Sutton was not quite enough to get the lads over the line. A very frustrating finish to a game that should have been won. A harsh lesson for the young lads but with all the youngsters (aside from Tyrese) being caught, it may be a learning curve to play on the floor and not give wickets away cheaply. Bowled out with 6 overs to spare and 4 runs needed...

Maybe next year!