U11 Report by Andrew Nelligan
The boys were brilliant in a dominating 126 run victory over Clyst St George B side on Monday June 30. They were solid in the field taking some good catches and fielding well (notably Samuel, Jack, Finn and Arlo all taking catches).
The bowling was excellent too with much greater accuracy and consistency.
Having taken 9 wickets and restricting CSG’s scoring we were in a dominant position when it came to our innings, which we capitalised on with some good shots and hard running between the wickets (epitomised by Isaac, Clay & Samuel).
This was a development CSG team but our 126 run winning margin is a fair reflection on how well the boys did. The next game is against Exmouth on the 9th. I’m confident we will give them a good game.

U15 Report by Bill Roper
The mighty u15s came up just a little short against Exeter in the county Semis last week.
The BSCC u15s took on the mighty Exeter in the district cup semifinal – Exeter’s entire team play in the county age group set up - including one in the Somerset Academy. But the BSCC legends that they are were well up for the challenge!!And so it was on a balmy Friday at the county ground Exeter that Exeter won the toss and elected to bat - looking to take full advantage of the small boundaries. Budleigh were bowling tight lines and had one of the Exeter openers caught behind off emerging club legend Arthur Whitby - snaffled by a greedy Theo James off a wicked out-swinger. Another danger man (Alex Tipper) was dispatched after trying to heave one to cow only for Henry Russell to pop up and take a diving catch. That was where the joy ended for BSCC - some rather over exuberant home support propelled Exeter to a total of 196-6 of their 20 overs.
In reply BSCC were 2 down in pretty short order- Theo James succumbed to a banana delivery, and Henry Russell slapping one to point. Arthur and Alex found themselves at the crease a little earlier than anticipated. This was starting to look like it might end in disaster…but the ever dependable Arthur played himself in nicely and took quick charge of the ever more frustrated Exeter bowlers. Although never threatening the total Arthur and Alex took the total to over 100 for no further loss. Satisfyingly the raucous cheers from the now largely deserted pavilion had died down as the 2 lads set about restoring some good ol’ BSCC pride. Arthur retired on 50 yet again and a nice cameo from Ozzie Simms at the end. - Alex finished on 48, just not enough but a good effort nonetheless by the team in what has been a very successful season considering. Topping their tier 1 blast group the aim is to go on and win that league. They are such a great group of home grown players - it’s been a pleasure to coach them this season. Well done all!

U12 Report by Rob Ellis

On Tuesday June 24 our U12s travelled to the grandiose setting of Kenn’s cricket ground, overlooked by an imposing manor house. Far from being intimidated by the setting, Budleigh decided to bat first and put on a batting display for the ages, befitting of the historic neighbourhood.
A total of 29 boundaries (26 fours and 3 sixes) were peppered around the ground, seeing 5 of our opening 6 batters retire not out on 30! The one clearly with somewhere else to be being Reuben, who faced just 7 balls, smacking 6 fours and then a six! Let's not hang around next time hey...... A complete batting performance, where everyone who faced contributed, saw us eventually amass a season’s best 191/1, at a rr of 9.55.
With the daunting prospect of a huge chase - Kenn set about their task diligently, but our opening bowlers were in a particularly miserly mood! With Kenn never threatening the prospect of emulating the scenes unravelling at Headingly.
Wickets apiece for Isaac, Sam Hill and a first for Jack were deserved reward for some very tight fielding, which also saw two run outs, and Kenn finish their 20 overs on 95/5.
After last week's last ball dramatics, a slightly more comfortable win was the medicine our heart rates ordered. But keep it up Budleigh - that's 4 wins from 5 in the league, and I believe joint top with Exmouth! Excellent work

Following their success at Kenn, and on what was billed to be one of the hottest June days on record, the U12s headed to Topsham on Monday June 30 in what was set to be a scorcher. After a very tight affair at the Holt earlier in the season, expectation was high - and spectators certainly weren't disappointed!
Electing to bat, the Topsham openers came to the crease blazing - racing to 61 off just 5 overs - threatening to put the game out of reach before it had even started! But patience paid off, with some very tight bowling, and excellent close fielding delivering. Reece broke the Topsham resistance with a plumb lbw at the start of the 7th, that then saw a very tidy runout for Rory, and 2 quick wickets for Sam W, one very smartly caught behind by Archie. 4 wickets for just 5 runs checking the hosts perfectly. Keeping the run rate managable, another wicket for Sam W in the 10th and three in space of 4 balls in Rorys second over (the 14th), one a beauty of a run out from Reuben, mopped up the Topsham tail in quick order and brought back their explosive opener. Threatening a grandstand finish, with a 4 off his first ball, Edward ensured Budleigh kept on top, taking out his middle stump and restricting topsham to 138/9.

Requiring 7 an over, Budleigh built into the innings with maturity, with openers Sam W and Freddie rotating strike and picking off boundaries, accelerating through the first 4 overs to reach 43. But just as Budleigh had done in the first innings, 4 wickets across 3 overs, checked progress, with both openers falling in quick succession, before Reuben and then Rory fell to some very tidy cricket (not before Rebuen had the chance to smack a huge 6 in his explosive cameo). Bringing Reece and Lucy to the crease in the 6th, Budleigh were 4 down, and half way to our target. Three more wickets, across another 3 overs (interspersed by another huge six, for Reece this time) put Budleigh at 84/7. And another nailbiting chase was on the cards! With our 9th batter striding to the middle, with 9.3 overs remaining, it was time for calm heads, and straight bats. And as so many times this season - Budleigh found a way. With Reece falling to a smart caught and bowled in the 12th (after some excellent marshalling of the middle order), it was left to our tail to bring it home, Isaac joint top scoring on 25 n/o at 9th, brilliantly supported by Archie, seeing us across the line with 3 overs to spare. Never in doubt !

Another excellent team performance, where everyone contributed with bat, ball or gloves, bringing it to 6 wins out of 7. Looking to be a pretty special season with 2 games remaining.

U13 Report by Rob Ellis
On Wednesday June 25 it was the turn of the u13s, who welcomed title chasing Sandford to the Holt. With both sides in form, it set up nicely.
With dark clouds rolling in, it was the visitors who won the toss, and elected to bat first. With ominous signs quickly coming to fruition - their impressive and imposing batting line up quickly settling as it started raining - both literally and figuratively through boundaries! Despite some big hitting, and fast scoring, Budleigh stuck to their task well in some very challenging conditions for fielding, due to the slick surface and wet ball. A steady stream of wickets, notably 1 for apiece for isaac and Reuben, 2 for Sam W and 2 impressive run outs by Reuben meant only one of the visitors batters reached 30 to retire, with the tail being brilliantly mopped up by Jacob, Harry and Sam M, just inside the 20 overs. Nonetheless, a testing target of 171 was set.
The second innings saw a change in the weather, fortunes and tactics. Sandford resorting to some strong gamesmanship, with a wicket keeper who was clearly channelling Adam Gilchrist! Relentless sledging of our batters, had its desired affect - and we never settled, unfortunately becoming a harsh and rather acute lesson in sports psychology. With regular wickets tumbling, credit must be given to our lower order, especially Jacob, who in the face of all the noise, and some formidable bowling, offered some good resistance, ensuring the game went into the 16th over, when we were 8 down in the 8th (91 all out in the end).
Bit of a chastening defeat this week, and one to chalk up to experience. But the team spirt and camaraderie that has developed amongst the group is incredible, and something to really celebrate. Well done team. On to the next one......