The originally scheduled first week, demoted to “week 0”, was a washout. With all the rain we’d had in April, all training and matches were called off (we had games against Brooklands and Lindow lined up which were postponed). When would the cricket actually start, we all wondered.
Tuesday 30th April 2024: Heaton Mersey Phoenix 263 (20.0) beat Bramhall Beavers 245 (20.0) by 18 runs – Cheshire league pairs (Scorecard)
There was a hard-fought victory for Mersey in the first match of the Cheshire League campaign. Bramhall won the toss and decided to bowl first. Batting was tricky for Mersey on a damp pitch with a gusty cross wind and a strong low sun; the bounce was low except for a patch on the surface that generated some higher bounce. Felix was the star batter with a belligerent 32 including 2 sixes and several fours. Other good contributions came from Adam (13 runs) and Sam (12 runs). Bramhall bowled, fielded, and caught well taking 10 wickets and restricting Mersey to a net score of 263 which looked a below par score.
George took the new ball and bowled superbly taking a wicket in his first hard ball game and generated lots of pace. Bramhall batted carefully, and despite a wicket from Arjo, their score was ahead at the end of the first pair (4 overs). Mersey then showed their quality and experience by bowling accurately and fielding well. The scoring rate dropped as Sam/Will and Adam/Zayaan all bowled economically with great skill; Will was particularly impressive in his first hard ball game. By the end of the third pair, Bramhall were behind the scoring rate required.
Bramhall then rallied and at the end of the four pair (16 overs) the game was even. But a superb final four overs by Joe and Felix, with a crucial wicket in Joe’s 2nd over, ensured that in the end the victory was comfortable.
Mersey fielding improved during Bramhall’s innings resulting in three run outs, including a spectacular one by Thomas (aiming at one stump!!). The wicketkeeping was excellent from Felix then Sam which limited byes and was a crucial factor in the game. A special mention to our U10’s, Thomas, Will and George, who fought back superbly after a difficult batting experience. Felix captained very well aided by the senior players. One of the opposition’s Dad’s commented on the great team spirit displayed by Mersey which was great to hear.
Thanks all round to everyone who turned up to watch the match and help to set-up and clear-up after the game and thanks to Pratap for umpiring. P.S. We are top of the League Zone 4.
Rest of week 1 / beginning of week 2
Unfortunately, the rain came back, with a High Peak match away at Woodford postponed because it was too wet, a home match against Hale Barns cancelled (South Manchester league) due to an unfit pitch (which was disappointing because it was nice weather that morning – ultimately we could not find another date and the points were shared) and another High Peak game postponed due to lack of numbers. Then Timperley conceded in the Cheshire league. Can we have some cricketing action please?
Thursday 9th May 2024: Heaton Mersey Phoenix 274 (94/5 off 16.0) tied with Bollington 274 (86/3 off 16.0) – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
Phoenix 274 tied with Bollington 274 after a pulsating game at Green Lane, which swung one way and then the other, before reaching a nail biting climax. George and Harvey opened the bowling and conceded just 11 runs in the first 4 overs. The experienced pair of Albert and Eli then continued to apply pressure conceding just 15, with Eli taking the first wicket of the night clean bowled.
Harley then bowled a superb 2 overs, taking a well-deserved wicket and was ably supported by Harry on his hardball debut. Add to this a run out and only a net 7 runs were added to the total. Bollington’s last batting pair sensed they would need runs and threw caution to the wind, attacking Phoenix’s final bowling pair of Sam and Tommy. The gamble paid off and they plundered 38 runs in 4 overs with some audacious stroke play.
Phoenix openers Albert and Eli made a solid start, keeping up with the run chase thanks to a superb 4 from the last ball from Eli, 221. Harvey and George then took up the chase and rallied after losing 2 early wickets. Harvey hit 2 sweeping boundaries down the legside to put the hosts on 238 at the halfway mark. Next were Harley and Harry who nurdled the ball around, prizing their wickets to add a further 18 runs in singles and extras.
That set up the most dramatic of finishes. Sam and Tommy started slowly and fell behind the required rate after Tommy lost his wicket in their second over. However, he responded magnificently in the next by hitting a boundary. 266 going in to the last over Phoenix needed 9 to win. Sam took charge and followed a dot ball with 2 classy boundaries – Phoenix were level with 3 balls to go. The next ball was a dot and then chasing the one run needed for victory there was a dramatic runout off the penultimate ball.
Tommy on strike checked with the scorer. 4 for a tie or a 6 for a win was the equation. He steeled himself as the Bollington pace bowler charged in. A magnificent hit went straight back over long on, bouncing just short of the boundary rope. A four and a tie a fair result. Great game played in fantastic spirit and whetting the appetite for what is to come this season.
Thursday 9th May 2024: Heaton Mersey Magic 324 (140/4 off 16.0) beat Langley 214 (54/10 off 16.0) by 110 runs – High Peak league pairs (Scorecard)
Completing Thursday’s double header, we were up against Langley in the High Peak league on a glorious Thursday evening. The traffic thwarted some of the opposition's attempts to get to Green Lane on time and, after delaying the start, we decided to get going with Langley batting. Isaac bemoaned not doing a toss (seemingly every time he was designated captain, there was rain), so we did one with me pretending to be the opposition. He lost it.
Gregory and Aahil opened the bowling, with some very accurate deliveries throughout. Their best batsman opened but they kept him largely in check. Next up, Aman bowled with pace, taking a wicket, while Samuel, in his debut hardball match, kept it tight.
The second half of the first innings saw a clatter of wickets, with 6 taken between Arno (another debutant who bowled well), Adam, Isaac and Stan, the latter on a hat-trick at one point. The opposition's score stuttered and eventually fell back to 214 (net), or 54-10.
There were some run-outs too, with some excellent ground fielding, great team spirit and superb marshalling by the vocal Isaac.
In return, Gregory and Aahil got us ahead of the target in their four overs and we never looked back. All batsman contributed. Aman, Adam, Isaac and Stan smashed some great shots, while the new boys, Samuel and Arno, showed superb awareness in running between the wickets and defending their wicket to keep us well ahead of the rate. Langley conceded 59 extras, and a large chunk of this was down to the running.
It wasn't really a contest, a testament to the depth of our squad, but it was played in great spirit on both sides. A great marker to start with, even if we couldn't match the excitement of the Phoenix tie.
Sunday 12th May 2024: Heaton Mersey Phoenix 50/2 (5.2) beat Timperley Lightning 47 all out (18.1) by 8 wickets – South Manchester league T20 (Scorecard)
A comfortable victory for Mersey in the first T20 game of the season. Mersey won the toss and decided to bowl at the Mersey village ground on Harwood Road. Conditions were excellent with warm sun and a light breeze on the artificial surface. The bowling was accurate from the start and Zayaan was rewarded for his fine bowling with the 1st wicket of the day (caught on video by Pratap). The relentless bowling then bore fruit when Stan took two wickets in two balls in his 1st over followed by another in the last ball of his 2nd over. George bowled tightly and Shazil took his first ever wicket.
The wickets continued to tumble through two for Felix, one for Harvey with an excellent diving catch from Sam behind the stumps and Thomas who produced a beauty of a delivery. Shazil then took the last wicket to skittle Timperley out for 48 runs. Star bowler was Stan who took 3 for 10, moreover everyone bowled well and accurately with only four wides and two no balls.
The surface and outfield then started to dry and good shots were being rewarded. Timperley started their bowling very well dismissing Adam and Stan in quick succession leaving Mersey 9 for 2. Felix and Sam then batted with great maturity and skill and guided Mersey home reaching 50 after only 5.2 overs. Sam top scored with 24 not out off 14 balls and Felix hitting 11 not out off 14 balls (a partnership of 41 not out).
So, a well-deserved victory for Mersey against a callow Timperley team. The bowling and fielding from Mersey were particularly good today (no overthrow runs).
It was then agreed to play on to give the Mersey batters some batting practice. Everyone batted and these are the paper score: Felix 26 not out*, Shazil 12*, Gregory 8* off 9 balls, Arjo 8* off 9, Thomas 6* off 5, Zayaan 9* off 4, George 3* off 4 and Harvey 4* off 7. So, no-one lost their wicket.
Thanks to everyone who was there and who helped set-up the game and tidy-up afterwards.
