It was an impressive season for both of the Heaton Mersey teams entered into the High Peak league, Magic and Phoenix. So much so that they faced each other in the semi-finals. Magic were victorious and ultimately went onto win the trophy so, with due respect to Phoenix, this entry is about Magic.
Game 1:
9/5: Magic 324 (140/4 off 16.0) beat Langley 214 (54/10 off 16.0) by 110 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
We had a mixture of U10s and U11s to go with and early season anxiety led to us going with 5 U11s (boosted by a last-minute U10 drop-out). In the end, we went too strong and it was a comfortable thrashing of an amicable Langley side. We were off to a strong start. Top scorer: Aman (18, 1 out, net 14). Best bowler: Adam (2-1 off 2).
Game 2:
5/6: Magic 254 (70/4 off 16) beat Alderley Edge 253 (81/7 off 16) by 1 run – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
It was, however, far from comfortable in Magic’s next match again Alderley Edge. It was an extremely close game, with the win ultimately proving crucial, and we still needed help. We had two injuries, Samuel getting hit by a beamer, which meant that Zayaan subbed in, hitting a six until it was decided he should not face. Caoimhin got injured in the field, although he still bowled two overs and came back onto the field afterwards. But with Samuel not fielding and Zane keeping, it meant we could bowl third overs for our four best bowlers. Needs must! Stan’s tight final over got us over the line although it was nearly scuppered by an attempted run-out. Top scorer: Stan (15, no outs). Best bowler: Stan: (3-5 off 3)
Game 3:
19/6: Lindow Girls U13 Thunder 234 (78/11 off 16) lost to Magic 261 (85/6 off 16) by 27 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
Steady batting throughout followed by three sixes from Sam H (including one which had people ducking for cover in the pavilion) gave a typically par score target for the U13 girls’ team from Lindow, who had also started well. Regular wickets taken by Magic meant that defeat was never likely, with a highlight being Will’s ridiculous caught and bowled, which Rich said he wasn’t going to give as it was too ridiculous. Top scorer: Sam H (23, 1 out, net 19). Best bowler: Will (3-3 off 2).
Game 4:
25/6: Mellor 219 (63/11 off 16) lost to Magic 287 (103/4 off 16) by 68 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
This was a mismatch reminiscent of the Langley match, despite it being an even mix of U10s and U11s against an entirely U11s side. 39 off the last 4 overs gave Magic a strong total and Mellor were never close to chasing that down. Top scorer (28, no outs, net 28). Best bowler: Adam (3-5 off 2).
Game 5:
27/6: Magic 234 (82/12 off 16) lost to Macclesfield Silks 310 (134/6 off 16) by 76 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
Our sole defeat in the competition was another very one-sided affair. Perhaps wary of our unbeaten status, Macclesfield packed their side with fast bowlers and strong batters, whereas we had fielded two U10s debutants and two other U10s who had only played one match. It showed, despite Gregory starting with two wickets in his first two balls. Ultimately, we could not cope with the pace (I maybe got the pairings wrong but it was never going to change the result). Top scorer: Zayaan (23, no outs, net 23). Best bowler: Zayaan (2-5 off 2).
Game 6:
28/6: Magic 287 (107/5 off 16) beat Stockport Trinity 260 (104/11 off 16) by 27 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
Straight back on the, er, horse, we had another match the next day against Stockport Trinity. They only had six players so utilised a younger player and fielded one light. A pretty consistent batting performance got us to an above par 287 and our bowlers restricted them well for much of their innings. However, their quantitative shortfall turned into a qualitative advantage as their two best batsmen had six overs (rather than the usual four) to bat at the end, and they were going at the required run rate for a while. But Cameron G and Emmet bowled well in tandem as the final pair and thankfully pegged them back. Top scorer: Adam (23, no outs, net 23). Best bowler: Cameron G (2-12 off 2).
Game 7:
2/7: Magic 323 (135/3 off 16) beat Cheadle Hulme ONE 264 (108/11 off 16) by 59 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
The early season rain had back-end loaded our High Peak league season culminating in two matches in the same night, testing our strength in depth. Despite the split, it was a strong performance against Cheadle Hulme’s “ONE” team, setting a very challenging target thanks to 34 from Isaac and Sam H and Shazil putting on 51 for the last pair. The batting side hit 17 fours and 1 six, no doubt helped by the slightly shorter boundaries necessitated by having two matches on one square. The chase was never on, despite some lower order hitting, thanks to losing 11 wickets along the way. Another victory chalked up! Top scorer: Isaac (34, no outs, net 34). Best bowler: Aman (2-17 off 2).
Game 8:
2/7: Magic 303 (127/6 off 16) beat Woodford 248 (120/18 off 16) by 55 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
On the other side of the square, Magic faced Woodford and it was a similarly one-sided story that eased any nerves. It was another strong batting performance, racking up another big total that would likely be out of reach for Woodford, and so it proved. Harrison, Dylan and Gregory got us off to a solid start, all with scores in the mid-teens, while Zayaan gave it the customary flourish at the end. Woodford seemed to let the scoreboard get in their heads, with some questionable running and a lot of wickets lost (18 in all), and the margin of defeat was similar to the other evening’s match. Top scorer: Zayaan (26, no outs, net 26). Best bowler: Cameron G (4-2 off 2).
The two wins in the evening had secured Magic top place in the league and a (hopefully) more favourable quarter-final draw…
Quarter-final:
9/7: Magic 289 (97/2 off 16) beat Cheadle Hulme TWO 234 (82/12 off 16) by 55 runs – High Peak league pairs: quarter-final play-off (Scorecard)
We put a strong team forward for the quarter-finals, but still made sure to include three U10s. It was the same formula as recent matches: bat first (although Magic had lost the toss), but an impressive score on the board and then defend comfortably. There were consistent pairings throughout and, whilst it wasn’t the most runs scored, Magic only lost two wickets. When bowling, it was another case of taking lots of wickets to restrict the scoring and it was never a contest. Top scorer: Isaac (20, no outs, net 20. Best bowler: Sam H (3-19 off 3).
Semi-final:
18/7: Magic 314 (138/6 off 16) beat Heaton Mersey Phoenix 279 (91/3 off 16) by 35 runs – High Peak league pairs: semi-final play-off (Scorecard)
With Phoenix getting through to the play-off matches, having also won their group, and won their quarter-final, then the Mersey sides would come up against each other in either the semis or the final (if they both won), and it turned out to be the semis, which was probably for the best to avoid an anti-climactic final. Given the guarantee of a Mersey win, the teams were stacked with U10s to give them more match experience, and it was a well-played game. Ultimately, Magic used their greater experience well, with batting contributions throughout giving a very tough target that Phoenix never really got to grips with, despite losing few wickets. The highlight was Billy taking on the off-spin of Leo, hitting sixes once he picked up the length. Onwards to the final! Top scorer: Billy (29, no outs, net 29). Best bowler: Karam (2-6 off 2).
Final:
21/7: Lindow Blue 270 (90/5 off 16) lost to Magic 320 (128/2 off 16) by 50 runs – High Peak league pairs: final play-off (Scorecard)
The final took us to Lindow for an effective away match, and the no-show of Shazil prompted the drafting of Charlie at the last minute, giving the 5:3 U11s to U10s split that had been favoured in the quarter-final. For what seemed like the umpteenth time, Magic lost the toss and were put into bat, using this chance to build scoreboard pressure. It was a tried-and-tested formula. Scoring was steady throughout the innings and at one point it looked like we would not lose a wicket, only losing two in the end. 32 extras bolstered the total, which would take a monumental chase from Lindow for them to win the title. It was not to be for them as steady but not spectacular was the preferred approach and once again it was an anti-climactic run chase. Captain Sam H was the inspirational leader and a clear man-of-the-match, top scoring and taking three wickets with his left-arm spin. Top scorer: Sam H (28, no outs, net 28). Best bowler: Sam H (3-7 off 3).
And with that, we were champions for a third successive year.
