North Weald 219 all out bt Little Munden 135 all out by 84 runs.

YOUTH was certainly on North Wealds side on Sunday when they pulled off a stunning 84-run victory at Little Munden with just eight players.

Baby-faced Alan Croft, still just 13, counted as nearly four players when he took a haul of seven wickets for just 44.

If that was not impressive enough, the youngster recorded a hat-trick and his dad Colin topped a fine family affair with a maiden century in the North Weald innings.

Croft junior was brought on after an injury to Dean Tredgett who tore ligaments in his ankle.

But he more than made up the numbers. The teenage sensation bowled an impeccable spell, bowling Andrews for 22 before taking a breather.

But he really tore into the Munden batting in his second spell.

He bagged the hat-trick and took the final five wickets to finish up with his magnificent seven and effectively win the game for North Weald.

The visitors had batted first after winning the toss. Despite the loss of Wood for one, Tredgett and Colin Croft soon dominated the Munden attack.

Aided by a very short boundary on one side they rattled up 120 for the second wicket in just 19 overs.

When Tredgett was caught for 41, Paul Brown joined Croft and kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely as Weald passed the 200 mark.

Croft was eventually caught on the boundary for a fine 103 and North Weald were all out for 219, a more than ample total to defend.

Weald struck early with Tredgett bowling Budd for four as Munden began their chase but then he had to leave the field.

Croft junior then started his heroics and with help from Brown he mopped up the tail, just as Munden had been looking dangerous.

Gisbrooke and Davis had started to make deep dents into the target, scoring 44 and 34 respectively, but they will never forget the face of young Croft who captured Gisbrooke after a good catch by Brown.

Brown then bowled Davis, but the icing was put on the cake for the Crofts when Colin stumped Mundens last man off the bowling of his nipper to win the match by a mile.

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