Uphill Castle Under-11s were narrowly defeated by close neighbours Weston Willows.

Uphill Castle Under-11s narrowly lost against Weston Willows by four runs in an exciting match watched by a large enthusiastic crowd.

Batting first, Uphill posted 273-6 (Barrington). Gerard King was top contributor with eight, with Oliver Saunders making seven on debut and Jay Isaac hitting two boundaries in his 10 (net 4). Joe O’Neill (3) and Harry Butler also made unbeaten contributions.

For Willows, Amilia Kempster took two wickets, with Holly McLaughlin, Alana and Bobby-Lee Kingston each chipping in as well as a run out.

Uphill fielded keenly and performed no fewer than four run outs with good throws and cool heads, by Charlie Dean, Charlie Huke, Jay Isaac and Myles Bliss.

Isaac also took a wicket with Huke bagging a brace in one over and young Cooper Cox on debut bowling three accurate overs.

However, Willows were kept in the hunt by Milly Woods (10 net 4), Poppy Hopper (10) and Kempster (8) before the final pair of Kingston and McLaughlin with a fine 16 saw them home reaching 277-7.

Charlie Huke was Uphill’s player of the match.