U10s / U11s – week 9 – match summaries
A frenetic week of fixtures deserves its own entry, with 9 (!) matches in all. We managed to win 7 of them, with a combination of squad rotation and strong opposition leading to two defeats.
Monday 24th June 2024: Lindow Red 255 (69/6 off 16) lost to Heaton Mersey Phoenix 267 (91/6 off 16) by 22 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
Great win tonight and apologies for my messy words! It was a stunning, sunny evening. Lindow were lovely hosts and the team played brilliantly together. They were confident and controlled. First ball, first over, wicket for George; first ball of his second over was a wicket for Leo, a caught behind for Thomas when keeping. Olly had 3 wickets to his name and there was great bowling & fielding from Sam & Joey, who were both backing up beautifully, with great keeping for the first half by Sam.
Batting, Leo hit two fours and a six, but suffered a couple of catch outs (mum will be having a word!!), Albert & Olly tried their best facing some tricky bowlers, whilst Joey & Matty kept it tight conceding no wickets between them. At 12 overs, the runs were all square between the two teams at 245 apiece and all George and Thomas had to do was not lose any wickets. Well, what a pairing! Two fours for Tom and a four for George who made sure they got each and every single you could possibly get including pushing for a three on one ball!! They had great communication and read the field perfectly. What a way to finish. It was a pleasure taking the team tonight and they all made that win possible. Thank you all.
Tuesday 25th June 2024: Mellor 219 (63/11 off 16) lost to Heaton Mersey Phoenix 287 (103/4 off 16) by 68 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
A comprehensive win for Mersey in this High Peak League Pairs game. Captain, Sam, lost the toss and the home side decided to bowl on a sunny, warm evening in the shadow of the Peak district. The pitch was green and Mellor’s ground has a significant slope down to the scoreboard which made batting tricky. From the onset, Mersey showed intent to keep the scoring rate high as Adam and Zane put on 14 runs despite losing a couple of wickets. The boundary rope was set a long away back, so singles and twos were achievable if the batters hit the gaps.
Debutant, Huzaifah, and Cameron then put on 19. Will and Charlie then entered the fray and continued finding gaps in the field, putting on 15 including a sumptuous cover drive for four from Will. The final pair, Sam and Billy, then plundered 39 runs in 4 overs with aggressive running and hard hitting. Sam top scored with 28 (off 13 balls) with good contributions from Adam (12 runs off 15 balls) and will (12 runs off 16 balls). Mersey’s score of 287 runs looked above par with the loss of only four wickets.
After a quick pep talk by Tim H, where he emphasized the need for working hard in the field, Will and Charlie opened the bowling for Mersey. Will bowled accurately with no luck, and Charlie bowled with increasing pace and got his reward with two wickets. The wickets continued to fall as Adam got three wickets in his second over when he hit the correct length. Cameron then bowled two excellent overs taking two wickets, and Huzaifah chipped in with his first hardball wicket. The fielding was superb with three run-outs from direct hits to the stumps, one from Adam and two from Sam (the 1st a great throw from the boundary hitting the base of the stumps); the ground fielding was also excellent with special mention to Zane for patrolling a vast area behind the stumps with great energy. Catching was also good again (two for Sam and one each for Cameron and Adam) as Mersey placed their fielders intelligently. This was a real team victory today with a good blend of four U10s and four U11s against a Mellor team who were solely U11s. The victory maintains Mersey’s top of the league position.
Thursday 27th June 2024: Heaton Mersey Magic 234 (82/12 off 16) lost to Macclesfield Silks 310 (134/6 off 16) by 76 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
The High Peak league is a good chance to give everyone some match experience. Whilst this was a top of the table clash, we included four players with minimal hardball matches under their belt – Tom and Oliver made their debuts whilst Jesse and Joe had both only effectively played half a hardball match before. Unfortunately, Macclesfield had chosen to load their team with strong players, including a battery of fast bowlers, and ultimately it was a bit much for our relatively green team.
We started strongly, with Gregory taking wickets with his first two deliveries, both bowled, while Joe and Oliver bowled tightly. The pace of the innings changed with the second pair, however. Whilst Zayaan got one of the pair out twice, the other batsman was extremely strong and he smashed it to all parts, helped by relatively short boundaries (we had split the pitch in two) and a lightning fast outfield. Mersey picked up a couple more wickets, both I think to run-outs (including Jesse deflecting a shot off his bowling directly onto the stumps as the non-striker stood two feet outside his crease), but Macclesfield continued to accumulate, ending on a challenging target of 310.
Aahil and Aman got us off to a solid start, putting on 29 for the loss of two wickets, so getting us to 221. However, our inexperienced middle order came up against some pretty rapid and accurate bowling. Whilst they played bravely, they were outgunned and we lost wickets regularly. Zayaan and Gregory put some respectability on the score, putting on 43 for the loss of just one wicket, and we got to 234, but that was still 76 runs behind.
These things happen and the team stayed pretty positively throughout. It will have been a good experience for the newer players and perhaps some inspiration to work at their games. The match was played in great spirit, with the opposition umpire providing some coaching to our inexperienced players at times.
Thursday 27th June 2024: Heaton Mersey Phoenix 261 (105/11 off 16) lost to Bowdon Vale 303 (115/3 off 16) by 42 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
Gutted to say we had a crushing defeat at the hands of Bowden Vale tonight. We totally lost it in the field, with overthrows a plenty, not backing each other up and generally just being confused in the field. I will make sure we work on some fielding in training. It didn’t help that the opposition’s players were quite rude and had to be given warnings for their attitude!
Anyway, there were a few moments of glory, including a lovely 4 from Adam, some brave batting from Harley and Harvey facing some very skilled and noisy bowlers, and Harry’s straight bowling, with Isaac as captain batting and bowling tightly and keeping the team together. The team finished on a high, though, with the final dynamite batting duo of James and Leo racking up 43 runs in their pair, including plenty of fours each and a beautiful 6 from Leo’s ramp shot on the last ball. James read the field exceptionally well and pushed for every run they could get. Gutted to have lost the way we did, but proud of the team for sticking together until the end.
Thursday 27th June 2024: Timperley Lightning 293 (129/9 off 20) lost to Heaton Mersey Phoenix 322 (142/5 off 20) by 29 runs – Friendly (Scorecard)
Mersey Phoenix beat Timperley Lightning as Timperley conceded in the Cheshire league pairs (scorecard) due to not enough players. The game proceeded as an ECB friendly game (thanks to Paul for setting-up). Mersey Phoenix 142/5 (20 overs) beat Timperley Lightning 129/9 (20 overs) by 33 runs (or 29 runs if scored as 4 runs lost per wicket, as is standard for the Cheshire league U11s pairs cricket – note, the friendly rules adds 5 runs onto the other side’s total for each wicket they take).
In this friendly fixture, Mersey won the toss and decided to bat first on a cool, windy evening. The away team batted confidently from the onset with all pairs scoring steadily as the home side struggled to cope with Mersey’s shot selection and placement. Top performers with the bat were Will with a season’s best of 21 (off 18 balls) including 4 cracking boundaries, Felix with a stylish 18 (off 15 balls) including 3 boundaries and Isaac with a punchy 15 (off 16 balls) including 3 boundaries. Only five wickets were lost in the innings including three run-out which were all debatable. The running and calling were excellent throughout the innings. This was a stiff target for the hosts, but with the boundaries hastily arranged and lop-sided, the home side looked to be aggressive with their batting.
The home starting batting and after an excellent first over from Felix that saw two wickets fall, Mersey’s bowling was punished as they bowled too short and too wide, although this was partly due to the strong and gusty cross-wind. Wickets regularly fell as the home side swung at every ball. Excellent bowling from Felix (1 for 11 over 3 overs), Will (1 for 9 off 2 overs) and Adam (1 for 6 off 2 overs) who generated immense bounce from the hockey pitch end. Wickets also for Stan and Sam. The ground fielding was mixed with four run outs, but 21 byes were conceded mainly through the back-stop area as the away side switched-off in the field at times. So, a solid victory for Mersey and good practice for all. Thanks to all who turned up to support the team.
Friday 28th June 2024: Heaton Mersey Magic 287 (107/5 off 16) beat Stockport Trinity 260 (104/11 off 16) by 27 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
A strong feeling of déja vu as Magic and Phoenix both played a High Peak game at Green Lane, as they had done on the previous night. The usual Friday night chaos added a different dimension to the game as Mersey looked to bounce back from the previous night’s trouncing. The chaos was not dispelled by Trinity having three of their players arriving late, and only having six players in total anyway (we lent them a fielder and they utilised a much younger Trinity player to help too). Captain Adam won the toss and decided to bat.
Cameron G and Emmet overcame a sticky first over in which they both lost their wickets to score 26 off the next three overs. Huzaifah and Samuel both protected their wickets brilliantly, with Samuel in particular not backing down to some rapid bowling. Adam then gave the innings some more impetus, smashing a six and a four in one over, and three consecutive fours in another. Gregory and Zayaan were out in consecutive balls to the opposition’s star bowler, but they rebuilt to get us to an above-par 287.
Dependable wicket-takers, Zayaan and Gregory, didn’t disappoint when opening the bowling, taking a wicket each plus the team got a run-out, as Trinity scraped to 206 after four overs. Huzaifah came back well from getting hit for four by taking a wicket whilst Samuel kept it fairly tight and we got another run-out during his bowling. Moment of the match came when a Trinity batsman smeared Arno aerially to the leg side to be caught on the boundary by Gregory, positioned perfectly.
Trinity were way behind the rate after 10 overs, with a score of 224, but in marched their strongest batsmen for the last six overs (extended due to their limited numbers). Warning bells rang when one of them hit Adam for three consecutive fours to finish his spell. They had needed 64 off 6 overs but they had hit 22 of the first two, i.e. they were on target.
The field was spread in anticipation of the more powerful hitting and Emmet, bowling much quicker than he had earlier in the season, pegged the opposition back with two wickets in the over, either side of being hit for two fours. Cameron then made the chase even trickier for the opposition, with another wicket. The required run rate started to climb as Mersey turned the screw, with Cameron bowling a really tight last over. It went for only four, included a wicket for him and also a run-out as Trinity, in desperation, tried to turn a one into a two.
In the end then, the margin of 27 runs seemed comfortable, but for a moment it was in the balance and turned into an exciting match. However, ultimately we were back on the winning trail as the victory took us back to top of the table, with the fate of a top two finish in our hands. Thanks to Hassan for umpiring and to the opposition coach for the great match spirit.
Friday 28th June 2024: Heaton Mersey Phoenix 262 (82/5 off 16) beat Stockport Georgians 254 (82/7 off 16) by 8 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
A thoroughly professional performance from the Phoenix, undermined only by their rookie coach/umpire remembering everything but a cricket ball. Captain Monty won the toss and stuck the Georgians in. Joseph and Monty were a really effective opening pair with the new (well, borrowed from Georgians) ball, keeping the score down and putting the pressure on, picking up a wicket apiece. Albert and Eli followed on in a similar fashion before Olly (struggling with a back injury, though you wouldn't have known) and Joey turned the screw. Our final pair saw Sam claim a double wicket maiden and Thomas also claimed a wicket. Really solid fielding, a couple of great catches, and hardly any overthrows.
Batting in the same order, and again, really disciplined. Hardly any chances were offered (either in terms of loose shots in the air, or poor running between the wicket). Albert and Eli were probably the pick of the bunch, but a shout-out to Olly, who copped a full toss in the collar bone to go with his bad back, but picked himself up to play some great shots. Although the score felt close, and technically victory wasn't assured until the penultimate ball had been bowled, it never really felt in doubt from where I was stood.
Good game played in the right fashion, and you can't beat a Friday night win at Green Lane to get the weekend off to a flyer. Well played boys, and thanks to Paul for breaking his scoring duck - without him, none of this would have been possible.
Sunday 30th June 2024: Romiley Tempest 227 (83/14 off 16) lost to Heaton Mersey Phoenix 153/5 off 16) by 106 runs – Cheshire league pairs (Scorecard)
In this penultimate league fixture, Mersey lost the toss on a cool, cloudy morning at Romiley’s ground and the home side decided to bat first. Mersey started off with Felix bowling superbly, continuing his fine form of late with two wickets in his first over. Despite some boundaries from the home side’s 2nd pair, Mersey continued to bowl well, mainly with a fuller length, and took regular wickets on the artificial surface. At the halfway stage, Mersey had already bagged eight wickets.
Harvey, after a tricky start to his spell, taking 3 for 9 with Sam bagging two catches at mid-wicket. Isaac then Harrison then finished with a fiery final four overs with Harrison taking 3 wickets (for 4 runs) with his best bowling of the season. All of Mersey’s bowlers bowled well and it was also an excellent performance in the field with the catching secure (a regular feature of recent games) and solid ground fielding in the damp conditions. Romiley finishing on 83 runs for the loss of 14 wickets (net score of 227).
Mersey started off with the usual opening pair of Harrison and Isaac and they did not disappoint, scoring 28 runs of the first four overs. What was pleasing was that all pairs contributed handsomely: the pair scores in order were 28 / 27 / 21 / 22 and 35. An elegant 26 (off 15 balls) from James including 5 fours was the highlight of the innings. Sam scored a rapid 23 (off 14 balls), Monty scoring 20 (off 13 balls) with three fours in succession (five in total) were top scorers. Mersey finishing on 153/5 (net score of 333).
An excellent all-round victory for Mersey as the result was never in doubt. The away side played consistently well all match and encouraged each other throughout the game.
Sunday 30th June 2024: Sale 97/7 (20.0) lost to Heaton Mersey Phoenix 98/5 (19.5) by 5 wickets – South Manchester league T20 (Scorecard)
A superb victory on a cold morning at Sale today. Captain George lost the toss but Sale decided to bat in what looked like bowler-friendly conditions. However, despite an early wicket for Harley, excellent batting from Sale meant they were always slightly ahead of where we wanted them. Wickets for Cameron, Zayaan, Albert, George and Karam kept us in the game; though 98 to win felt a bit much for an inexperienced team.
Batting: George with a couple of 4s and Sam W got us off to a solid start and kept up with the rate. Zayaan batted with real maturity and elegance, retiring, while at the other end players just rotated the strike and gave him support. An excellent 9 from U8 Leo in his first T20 too including a 4. It was left to Harley with a magnificently judged 10 not out and Emmet with great support to get the team over the line in the final over. They held their nerve and played the situation perfectly, picking off the singles to ensure some memorable scenes when they won.
