Heaton Mersey Magic (U10s) High Peak League Summer Cup Match 5
After some sterling work by @AD and Marple's coaches, Mersey's Magic U10s got one final game to round off their first season of hardball cricket. Could they finish the season with another victory in their umpteenth visit to the hillier parts of Stockport?
Captain Dan called correctly so we got to bat first. Hopefully that would be helpful with light precious. Ellis to open again (hope he likes it? ), this time with Nate as his partner. A fine start with no wickets lost and 19 on the board. Starts like these are essential for winning matches. Zach and Alex backed this up with some excellent running. The former got the ball of the match and Big A holed out to a great catch. Charlie and Freddie were then superb, again only losing wickets in identical fashion to a couple of fantastic catches. I had the pleasure of signalling our first competitive six when Charlie cleared my bonce with a mighty blow. Dan and Hugo were a comforting sight as our last pair. Running like demons they faced down Marple's best bowler. Hugo cracked two fine boundaries, with his first cover/square drive a joy to behold. 289 for 5 on the board for a net total of 269. Would it be enough?
6 overs in and Marple had 230+ and no wickets lost. Again, the match was beginning to get away from us. But this is cricket. And this is Mersey. Ellis and Nate backed up their batting by each striking with their first balls. Hugo struck in his second over. Momentum was with us but back came Marple. With the last pair strolling out it was 50:50.
Dan and Louis gathered the boys for one last four over push before the kit can be stored away for the winter (or Cheshire courses! ). Dan, Freddie, Charlie, and Hugo to bowl. We had every right to be confident but Marple's pair had seemed full of ideas when I was stood with them. I don't think they'd figured out what they'd be facing. Our 4 superstars raised their game for one last dance (over each ). A wicket in every over, a one handed stunner from Charlie, and real "game on" fielding from all, led impeccably by Dan, saw our boys over the line for one last (deserved) win. Another huge team effort showing how far they've come this season. Truly inspiring, albeit it a little nervy, viewing....
A special thank you to our 8 for making the last game so enjoyable and being such great young men. 2 match balls tonight, awarded by Dan to Nate and Charlie. The former for a superb all round performance and the latter for being that "gamechanger".
Zach rounded the season off in the style it deserved with some delicious homemade cookies, and, being the thoughtful soul he is, there were enough for a hungry umpire.
One last hurrah for @Louis Mundin for helping them get over the line and (as we're getting used to) inspirational leadership when it mattered most. Thanks to all the parents, especially @Rob Hodgkinson and @Nathalie Hodgkinson for giving me a lift home!
Hopefully see everybody on the 19th Sep' for some well deserved awards!
