Match Reports

Gloucestershire U18's County Age Group vs Worcestershire (Friendly)

An opportunity arose at short notice for our U18’s side to play at the prestigious Cheltenham College grounds after the completion of the festival, where the Gloucestershire 1XI had been based for the previous two weeks.

Worcestershire stepped in and managed to sort an U18’s side for us to play (very appreciated!), the sun shone on a baking hot day where it was decided the teams would play a friendly timed fixture.

Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to bat first, where Oliver Meadows (31) and Tommy Boorman (31) strode to the crease to form an excellent half century opening partnership. They negated a fine opening spell from Worcestershire bowler Reeve Evitts who bowled 5 overs for a mere 6 runs. Once Meadows was dismissed, Will Naish applied pressure onto the opposition hitting 10 boundaries including 3 sixes in a well made 84 runs. He looked well in control of the innings and formed a substantial partnership with fellow Academy All-Rounder Stanley Brown (64) who played the anchor role. Their stand of 114 taking Gloucestershire to 207 for 3, which then brought to the crease Max Trotman who accelerated to 37* off 28 balls as skipper Joe Phillips decided to declare on 266 for 4 in the 54th over.

In reply, Worcestershire set the foundations early to chase the total with a solid opening partnership of 78 from openers Ismail Mohammed and Rehaan Edavalath as Gloucestershire struggled to make a breakthrough. Spinner Owen Harris (2 for 41) was brought into the attack as he removed both openers and bowled well in tandem with fellow spinner Max Shepherd. Pace bowler Hamdi Saleem bowled with superb pace in his spell of 9 overs, taking the crucial wicket of Oliver Halion and restricting runs to Worcestershire’s remaining middle order. Max Shepherd bowled superbly in his 13 overs, taking 4 wickets for 60 runs to help Gloucestershire take wickets at regular intervals which led to Worcestershire reaching 219-8 with 5 overs left to bat in the day. With men all around the bat, Worcestershire managed to bat out the remaining overs and time to settle for a well-earned draw.

A massive thank you to Cheltenham College for hosting us and for letting us use their facilities, a fantastic opportunity for both sides to play on such prestigious grounds. Also, thanks to Worcestershire for organising a side at short notice. A memorable day for all those involved!

Scorecard - Click here