High Lane CC U11s vs Hayfield CC U11s
Sunday 02nd May, at Hayfield CC
The excitement for High Lane U11s to play in their first ever competitive match had been growing for several weeks, and as the team met at the picturesque Hayfield CC, it was understandable that everyone could feel a few nerves in the air.
However, the welcoming Hayfield CC were well organised with bubble areas already set out for each team, and supported by a great turn out of parents, grandparents, siblings and coach Macca from High Lane, the scene was set for their cricket journey to begin.
A young High Lane side ranging in age from 7 to 10, and never having played a game before, were first to bat and were led out by Luke Finley and Oliver Harrison. Luke Finley faced the first over from Hayfield’s fast and accurate opening bowler and was excellent in protecting his wicket. In the second over Oliver Harrison managed to get bat on ball and a good call between the batsmen meant High Lane had their first ever runs on the board!
More runs followed from each batsmen against a very good standard of bowling, and only two wickets fell in the first 4 overs (a wicket reduces the score by 5 runs in U11s pairs cricket), and so the first pair’s overs were completed, and the batsmen walked back to a much deserved round of applause for having led the way.
The next pair of Harry Helme and Henry McNeil settled quickly and good communication and running led to both boys picking up some excellent singles on a regular basis. Again, they only suffered the loss of 2 wickets leading to an overall neutral score, a great achievement given it was the first time they had even faced hard ball cricket.
Next in were Albie Regan and George Wood, two of the youngest members, but who rose to the challenge magnificently as they both played genuine cricket shots to defend their wicket, with each picking up runs as well. A good delivery the penultimate ball of the 4 overs brought the only wicket, but this was followed on the last ball by a text book drive from George Wood which sent the ball racing away for 4, and High Lane’s first ever boundary. A positive run score from the four overs was brilliant and if the smiles on both boys faces as they returned to the pavilion was any indication, then the day was already a winner.
Last pair in were Oscar Regan and Elliot Street who again faced some fast and accurate bowling from Hayfield, but both stood up and played some excellent genuine cricket shots to constantly keep the score board ticking over. 3 wickets fell during the four overs but good scoring shots meant a net positive score of 11 plus from the pair gave High Lane a first match total of 18 (posting a 168 score to chase). A fantastic achievement for their first match.
And so, after a quick drink and snack the team were out in the field and clapping in the Hayfield opening batters. Luke Finley opened the bowling and despite a good accurate line, the Hayfield opener was very powerful and struck a number of excellent boundaries. Albie Regan opened from the other end and again bowled an accurate over against strong batters. However, each bowler learnt instantly, such that both their second overs restricted the batters to limited runs and with no extras conceded was great to see.
Next to bowl was Henry McNeil, who was excellent with a straight line and was rewarded in just his third ball with a cleaned bowled wicket. George Wood bowled from the other end and again displayed good line and accuracy to limit Hayfield to mainly singles, btut with no extras conceded was an excellent two overs. Henry McNeil continued to bowl well, and whilst a big shot from the Hayfield batter brought a 6, the very next ball Henry claimed his second wicket with another clean bowled.
A change in wicket keeper, allowed Harry Helme to enter the attack along with Elliot Street and both produced an excellent spell of tight accurate bowling that limited Hayfield to just four scoring shots over 4 overs as well as a cleaned bowled wicket from Harry Helme. A net score of just 4 runs from 4 overs an excellent return from the pair.
The Final bowling pair saw Oliver Harrison and Oscar Regan join the fray. A difficult start from Oliver Harrison with a few wides could have seen many players crumble under the pressure, but supported by a brilliant encouraging response from his teammates in the field, he composed himself superbly to record a number of dot balls. This was followed by an accurate over from Oscar Regan that brought a cleaned bowled wicket, and then in his second over, Oliver Harrison continued to find a good line which brought the reward of 2 wickets. A final tight over from Oscar Regan meant the final 4 overs went for a negative 1 score, an excellent return.
As the High Lane team clapped the Hayfield batters from the field the scores revealed Hayfield had scored 38 more runs than High Lane, but there was no reason to be disappointed as the team had performed beyond all expectation for their very first match, and the enthusiasm for the next match was clear, so onwards and upwards for the U11s.
Next match is the U11’s first home game at Middlewood against Chapel-en-le Frith on Sunday 9th May at 10.00am
