The start of summer is here....

Heaton Mersey Magic (U10s) High Peak League Summer Cup Match 1

After a brief hiatus it was on to the smaller group summer cups and a familiar trip to Macclesfield, with our U9s also playing on the adjacent pitch (they won - well done Zack and Hugo for shifting over to help them out).

This was a game all about momentum, which basically means the "vibes" and energy each team is feeling.

Losing the (electronic) toss we were asked to bat first (bad vibes ). Ellis clipped the first ball beautifully to deep square leg, but their pair of opening bowlers were good. Seth was super unlucky to pick out their fielders a couple of times, and Ellis got a couple hitting the magical "top of off". With a last ball wicket off Seth's foot clipping the wickets we were behind the eight ball.

That changed massively as George led a counterpunch for the ages, ably supported by Alex. Boundaries flew to the short side and this continued as Charlie and Ben kept the run rate high and no wickets loss. Our wickies, Thomas and Tom, got us up to 312 for 6 and a net of 288. Competitive, but it felt short on a dry outfield.

After an important (re) bowling warm-up, Macc got under way. An early run out was all we had to show for our first 8 overs. Macc were over halfway there and we needed something pronto with the game getting away from us. Queue Ben striking the wickets twice in a row for the next big shift. Seth struck next over and the momentum was firmly back with us. Thomas's two tight overs and a wicket for Alex meant it was just about in our hands.

A late flurry of boundaries, including one off the last ball,  and I thought we'd just lost. What do I know? Turns out we'd hung on by 8 runs despite the late, and last, momentum shift. 

A great way to start the summer competitions. We lost concentration and some focus on the basics at times,  but we'll blame that in end of term tiredness. We have a habit of getting our wickets in the 2nd half of the innings, which makes things exciting (but stressful). No run outs was a clear positive and the boys ability to hang in there and find a way to win speaks volumes of them.

Moment of the match to Ben for you know what ^^^^^^^

Congratulations to them all! Another all round team effort to be admired. Thanks to all the parents - some great preparation probably made the difference tonight.