Sunday 09th May, at High Lane CC, Middlewood
The cataclysmic deluge of Saturday could not dampen the spirits of the U11’s as we welcomed Chapel to Middlewood for our very first home game on Sunday. The fact that the game was able to go ahead at all following Saturday’s downpour was sign itself of the work and investment that has gone into the Middlewood ground and drainage over the past 12 months. So whilst a little damp underfoot the ground was set for another entertaining game.
A High Lane Squad of 9 players, with some rotation of fielders, took to the field first. The opening bowlers of Oscar Regan and Elliot Street made an excellent start, with both bowling a good tight line in the first 4 overs, and only conceding a total of 15 runs. Oscar picked up 2 wickets to give a net total of only 5 runs conceded.
Oliver Harrison then delivered an excellent over with only 1 wide conceded in total. He was followed by Izzy Ellis and William Turner, both making their debut for the side. They each bowled extremely well on what was a softer wicket than had originally appeared. A return of only 11 runs from their 4 overs a great effort.
George Wood and Harry Helme then entered the attack and put a stranglehold on the visitors batting with a good straight line. George Wood returning figures of 2 overs for just 1 wide ball. He was supported from the other end by Harry Helme who struck twice in his two overs to claim fantastic figures of 2 for 1!
Henry McNeil and Luke Finley continued to bowl accurately and restricted runs, with Luke Finley picking up a further wicket to leave Chapel on a total 37 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, giving a net score of 12, and setting a target of 162.
Luke Finley and Oliver Harrison opened the batting with Luke facing Chapel’s tall and pacy opening bowler and protecting his wicket very well. The damp conditions were making scoring difficult and a motivated Chapel field made runs hard to come by.
Chapel had a deep bowling attack and whilst Harry Helme and Henry McNeil defended well against a good line bowling, the slow wicket wasn’t helping with getting the ball away, and a couple of wickets fell to the Chapel bowlers. A powerful drive from Henry McNeil did bring a welcome boundary for four runs.
Next in were the pair of George Wood and William Turner on his debut. George Wood played some excellent cricket shots to work the ball around the field and good communication between the batsmen started to see the score board tick over. An excellent catch in the field by Chapel was the only wicket the pair conceded.
The final pair of Oscar Regan and Elliot Street started briskly, working well together to call for both singles and double runs. A well played late cut from Elliot towards fine leg was well run, but an incredible direct hit from the Chapel fielder conceded a very unlucky wicket. A lovely drive off the front foot from Oscar sent the ball hurtling back past the bowler for 4, but with a nothing ventured attitude and the boys a few runs short of the opposition total, they decided to run the last ball regardless and were unfortunately run out.
The final tally was actually 39 runs (2 more than Chapel) but for the loss of 9 wickets, meaning a final score of -6 (or 144). Only a difference of 18 runs in a very competitive match with already real signs of progression in just the U11s second match.
A bumper crowd showed their appreciation of a good game and as the teams bumped elbows, thoughts and questions were already excitedly turning to who we play next!
Next match is away to Offerton CC U11’s on Sunday 16th May at 10.00am.