Nail biter in the Village

Heaton Mersey Magic (U10s) Cheshire County Cricket League Match 7

Somehow after thunder, lightning, and hail the weather cleared enough for the visit of Romiley's Gryphons on Tuesday night. With a damp outfield, cloudy skies, no sight screens, and some variable bounce at HMV, we knew this wasn't going to be a night for the batters. Both Mersey and Romiley are bowling teams so a net score of 250 seemed like it might be enough based on our early season match-up in the sun.

Our visitors won the toss and put us into bat. The boys hung in there very well and all credit to those who didn't lose their wicket once: Louis, Thomas, Sam, Dan and Tom C. Fine margins were going to define this. Some aggressive running between the wickets was vital to 270 for 7, for a net score of 242. Would it be enough?

Tom C and Evan opening the bowling were like Anderson and Broad in their pomp. Despite some excellent bowling, we just weren't getting wickets with Seb's run out being our only breakthrough. Romiley were nearly there at halfway; however, we all know wickets come in clusters. First Captain Dan got one and then two in Eddie's over, one a fine run out by keeper Thomas. Sam then got another and it was back in the balance. 

Romiley's last pair got them just ahead for the last over. Wicket, and -4 runs needed. Over to Evan. The second ball forces the batsman to pop one up and Dan took a great catch at gully.  We were ahead, but Romiley's batters, with a lot of onfield coaching, managed to squeeze out 5 more runs. They'd scored 270 as well, but only lost 6 wickets for a net of 246 and victory....

Some highlights:

- great seeing the U11s and U10s come together as "one Mersey". The older boys set a great example of how you have to be on it every ball to win against good opposition 

- Mersey's never say die spirit.  In pairs you can always turn things round......

- Dan's captaincy - like he's been doing it for years

- Thomas's wicketkeeping. This was a super difficult night to keep and he easily outshone the other team

- Seb's run out

- Our collective bowling keeping the match close when heads may otherwise have dropped 

- Game awareness as it got squeaky (bum) tight

*Learning point* Just a wicket or a few runs would have swung this. There were a few dropped catches and missed run outs we ended up rueing, which shows the importance of maintaining that focus and energy up throughout. Keeping those straight balls out when batting by getting bat, legs, anything at all behind the ball and defending could also have swung it very easily. 

*Well done to all the boys* - it was a pleasure to watch (and umpire), even though I am another 5 years older after it. Thanks to @⁨~Henry Wilkinson⁩, Alice and Joe for their help!