In contrast to last season, dry weather was prevalent in the first fortnight of the cricket season. The U12s had South Manchester matches on Friday evenings and High Peak matches on other days, all being Twenty20 matches (no more pairs cricket).
Friday 25th April 2025: Heaton Mersey Phoenix 65/6 (20) lost to Whalley Range Lions 155/2 (20) by 90 runs – South Manchester league T20 (Scorecard)
A heavy defeat in the 1st game of the season for Mersey Phoenix.
The home side lost the toss and the visitors decided to bat at the Harwood Road ground. Despite some solid bowling initially from the home side, with Adam to the fore bowling at a great pace, the away team accumulated runs at a steady rate before accelerating to a high score of 155. Several dropped catches by the home hindered their efforts to halt the scoring rate. There were wickets for Monty (1 for 12 off 2 overs) and Arjo (1 for 16 off 2 overs).
The home side then batted and Whalley Range’s pace attack was relentless as the scoring rate was slow despite solid defensive work by the opening pair Billy and Younus. Mersey could only reach 65/6 from their 20 overs as batting conditions deteriorated quickly during the 2nd half of their innings as the lights faded. Top scorers were Adam with 23 (off 17 balls) and Sam with 19 (off 24 balls).
So, a comprehensive defeat for the home side against a superb Whalley Range side. The home side’s heads did not drop despite the defeat and the fact that they did not throw away their wickets against the excellent pace attack bodes well for the rest of the season. A lot of improvement will be required, though, especially in ground fielding and catching.
Friday 25th April 2025: Heaton Mersey Phoenix vs Bramhall Bulldogs (conceded) – High Peak league T20 (Scorecard)
The opposition were unable to field a team and so they conceded this fixture. The U12s has an intersquad match in its place.
Friday 2nd May 2025: Heaton Mersey Phoenix 90/5 (20) lost to Urmston Reds 110/5 (20) by 20 runs – South Manchester league T20 (Scorecard)
The home side lost the toss and the visitors decided to bat first. The away side started confidently, batting with assurance and steadily accumulating runs. Mersey switched to spin early, with Arjo and Sam putting the brakes on the scoring and getting a wicket. Albert chipped in with a wicket, but the away side continue to score well. Mersey then came back with excellent bowling by Zayaan, augmented by sharp fielding.
The away side looked set for a score of under 100 but had a strong last over to reach 110/2 off their 20 overs. Best bowling by Zayaan with 1 for 0 (2 overs) and Albert with 1 for 5 (2 overs) and an excellent run-out by Sam.
Batting proved tricky for Mersey against a strong opening attack from Urmston. The scoring rate picked up when Adam came to the crease and he top scored with a superb 31 off 15 balls, with 6 fours and a six. Arjo battled hard for a career-best 23 off 47 balls. The match looked to be delicately balanced until Mersey lost three quick wickets in the fading light and the home side ran out of time and finished on 90/5.
A much-improved performance by Mersey compared to last Friday. Areas to focus on for the next game: running with more intent when batting, looking for quick singles and better calling.
Thursday 8th May 2025: Heaton Mersey Phoenix 122 all out (19.2) beat Sale 92 all out (17.1) by 30 runs – High Peak league T20 (Scorecard)
Sale won the toss and elected to bowl first. Sam and Arjo batted superbly for a opening partnership of 64 runs in 10 overs, with both batsmen retiring with top scores of 26. A few quick wickets then fell to sharp bowling and fielding from Sale CC, causing a scare. However good batting from Shail (10 off 8) and George (13 off 10) followed by a quickfire finish by Monty, who hit a couple of boundaries, propelled the final score to 122.
Sale CC started well despite a couple of quick wickets, one each to Issac and Stan. Their strongest batters in the middle took the score to 59/2 off 8 overs. Their top scorer Akil retired, having made 27 and disciplined bowling and tight fielding led to wickets in regular intervals from then on.
One wicket each to Sam, Shazil, George and Zayaan, and two to Monty off consecutive balls, meant Sale got bowled out for 92 in 17.1 overs. Special mention to Tom Rubie for his excellent wicket keeping in the match. Good all-round performance to start the High Peak league on a win.
Friday 9th May 2025: Didsbury Bulls 101/7 (18.1) beat Heaton Mersey Phoenix 97/4 (20) by 3 wickets – South Manchester league T20 (Scorecard)
The home side won the toss and decided to put Mersey in to bat on a bouncy track. Mersey started slowly with 8 off the first 4 overs until Felix hit a couple of sweety-timed boundaries before holing out when he looked set for a big innings. Adam then came into the crease and top scored with 30 off 25 balls, continuing his great form this season. Three quick wickets followed until an excellent and mature partnership between Stan (21 runs off 32 balls with a couple of glorious cover drives) and Billy (10 runs off 14 balls) gave the home side a target of 98 runs.
Didsbury started their batting with solid defence and well-timed square drives before Stan made the breakthrough in the 5th over. Didsbury looked well set for a comfortable victory as they reached 64 for 3 by the end of the 12th over. However, Stan then produced a superb over, bowling as well as he has ever done taking, with a double-wicket maiden. This was quickly followed by Felix bowling an excellent over, taking a wicket.
The atmosphere changed during this period as the sun set with the crowd enjoying this epic contest. The home side did not score a run for 15 balls, losing 4 wickets during this time. Unfortunately, it was not enough from Mersey as Didsbury squeezed a shot through the covers to win the game. Stan top bowler with 4 for 9 in 3 scintillating overs.
This was a great game of cricket. Mersey were much improved especially in the field against strong opposition, especially in the final five overs of the home side’s batting when Mersey came alive. Points to improve: pushing for 2’s when batting; bowling fuller at the stumps when the batters are set or at lower order batters.
