Heaton Mersey Magic (U10s) High Peak League Match 7
Being a Barrow fan I've gone off football a bit, but I had some famous words from John Motson in my head umpiring this: "this is getting better and better and better"*.
An early start on a Sunday but a nice setting with church bells ringing in the distance. The boys were there early and warmed up well. We lost the toss again, but who cares? We were asked to bat so needed to set a good total of 260 plus against Prestbury, our previously unbeaten hosts.
Our favoured opening pair of Ellis and Calum continued their remarkable record. I think just 1 wicket lost in 3 games opening. Playing straight and running hard, they provide a perfect platform for the later batsman. They navigated the 20 minute rain delay with ease.
George, with some beefy biffs, and Sam, and then Ben and Isaac got us into a great position. Thomas and Captain Dan then went hard with a flurry of boundaries. A couple of late wickets pegged Mersey back to 291 for 5, a net of 271. Certainly competitive, but an undulating pitch and home advantage could make it interesting.
Dan threw the ball to Ben to open up. The first ball tucks the batsman up and a steepling catch is easily taken by Isaac (after practising just that with his dad ). A first ball flyer!
After that the wickets kept coming with Prestbury struggling to keep their heads above water (200). Isaac snaffled one and then George bagged two. I thought these 2 couldn't get any better, but as usual I was wrong. New skills every week we'll beyond me! Dan got another one before the first "hydration break". As well as comedy value (on a wet day), it does help everybody come together to discuss tactics.
The strength of our team remains having 7/8 bowlers who you can trust. Calum, Ellis and Sam kept up the momentum. At halfway it felt "comfortable", with George picking up his third wicket in the eighth over.
Their third pair were restrained by Ben and Calum striking, with the latter continuously our unluckiest bowler. Like George last year, he's going to get loads of wickets very soon.
The last pair needed 64 to win. Despite Calum's confidence ("they can't win" ), 64 from 24 balls is doable. I've seen Lancashire lose from that position often enough....
But they don't have the bowlers we have. They'd saved their best batters who tried heroically, but our fielding didn't lapse and Sam, George, Isaac, and Dan/Ben (after the captain's hand injury) bowled excellently. With Prestbury limited to 269 for 8(!) for a net of 237, we'd won by 34 runs.
Prestbury's unbeaten run was over and our acceleration up the table continued. Congratulations to all the boys - a very (very) impressive performance. Moment of the match was George's first over which swung the momentum permanently in Mersey's favour.
Thanks to all the parents for helping with warm ups and applause, and @AD and @Simon Webb for keeping my eldest in line with the manual scoreboard.
Onwards to our new third (home) ground in Burnage and the visit of Bowden Vale for Match 8 in the HPL.
*The 5-1 win away in Germany for those old enough to remember it
