Playing on what one parent aptly described as a "cheeky pitch," our Under 10s a real mix of experience on the field. Four players were making their very first steps into hardball cricket, while others brought a bit more experience to the side having played hardball last year. Whatever a players experience, it proved to be a match of highs sprinkled with some very clear learning points for everyone involved.

The match began with real promise. The bowlers started beautifully, hitting their marks and making life difficult for the opposition. Taking eight wickets and limiting their batters to just 37 runs is an achievement any side would be proud of. However, as the innings progressed, the discipline we started with began to wander. A spate of mis-fields, overthrows, and concerningly, fielders failing to back up at the stumps gifted the opposition unnecessary free runs they should never have had. The biggest hurdle, though, was the extras; conceding nearly 35 runs in wides and no-balls meant we were scoring the opposition's runs for them. This lack of focus turned a dominant position into a much tighter contest as the final over went for plenty.

When it came time to bat, the chase of a modest total proved to be a bit of a rollercoaster. Throughout the innings, our batters were perhaps a little too watchful at times, and that hesitation meant we struggled to turn bad balls into runs. Instead of looking for the gaps, we often hit the ball straight to the fielders. There is a real lesson here for all our batters regarding tactical awareness: by occasionally looking to hit the ball over the fielders' heads, we can force the opposition to spread their field. Pushing those fielders back opens up the field, making it much easier to pick up those low-risk singles and doubles that keep the scoreboard ticking. Because of the inability to rotate the strike, some tentative calling led to otherwise avoidable run-outs, and we actually found ourselves at -4 runs after the first two pairs.

It was a long wait for any real acceleration; in fact, our first boundary didn't arrive until the 15th over, and we only managed two boundaries in the entire innings. Fortunately, the tide began to turn with the later pairs. The third pair steadied the ship, protecting their wickets and nibbling away at the total with the help of some opposition extras. The fourth pair then injected some much-needed energy, finding the rope and showing some sharp running to bring us within striking distance. By the time the final pair arrived, we needed just three runs from the last four overs. In this format, one lost wicket can change everything, but the batters showed fantastic courage and common sense. They defended when they had to, ran hard, and played sensible cricket to ensure we stayed ahead until the final ball.

While we are delighted to come away with the win and progress to the next round, this match was a reminder that the basics of backing up, calling clearly, and having the intent to be attacking and put the opposition under pressure are what truly win games. A good learning experience for those new to the hardball game, and for the team as a whole, the match provides a perfect roadmap of what we need to work on for our upcoming matches and the rest of the season.