We’re rapidly getting to the end of the season now, with a relatively concentrated batch of fixtures (including four games in five days). Our win rate dipped as we came up against some strong sides, but we still managed three wins to match the three defeats, progressing to the South Manchester summer cup semi-final.
Monday 10th August 2026: High Peak U13s summer competition T20 (Group C)
Lindow Vikings 50 all out (18.2) lost to Heaton Mersey Phoenix 186/3 (20) by 136 runs (Scorecard)
A sunny Monday evening took us to the picturesque Lindow ground at Upcast Lane, with an enforced short boundary due to the hedgerow flush up against the road. The opposition coaches noted that their team was essentially their fourth team and that it might be preferential for all concerned, in terms of maximising bowling and batting opportunities, for us to bat first (they didn’t expect to get much more than 30 or 40 runs in total). I agreed and we therefore dispensed with the toss. We had a reasonably strong team which was made up of essentially the only Phoenix players available due to holidays, so it felt like the right thing to do (even if it meant not getting home sooner).
With the batting order fixed in advance, having been communicated by Gregory to the team while I was discussing the arrangements, Adam and Jake opened the innings. When the first delivery of the match was dispatched over deep square leg for six (narrowly clearing the longer boundary), my mind wandered to the possibility of a first over retirement. That wasn’t to be, although two bludgeoned fours hurtling across a fast outfield by Adam gave us a quick start, with 15 off the first over.
Their second bowler, however, was much quicker and a tougher test, illustrated by his first ball going for four byes before their short-ish fine leg fielder had blinked. Adam hit him for four but next ball, the last of the over, he nicked him to the keeper, the brother of the bowler, to be out for 18 off 10 balls.
In came Archie, who took a little while to get his eye in but soon accelerated. That was not before the keeper took some blows to the fingers and had to retire hurt, bringing about a lengthy break after which they changed keepers and we provided a rolling substitute fielder. Eight wides off the fourth over kept our run rate at nearly 10.
In the 6th and 7th overs, Jake and Archie exchanged boundaries, with Jake hitting four fours and Archie two. There was perhaps a lack of urgency in the running, but other than that it was a blemish-free partnership. Jake soon retired, on 25 off 23 balls, bringing in Will, who could afford to take his time as Archie scored freely, with his fifth four taking him to a retirement on 27 off 21 balls.
The short legside boundary was proving tempting for both Will and Ollie. Having reached a circumspect 8 off 17 balls, Will pulled a ball to square leg but unfortunately found the fielder on the rope. Ollie hit a couple of fours, including one that almost cleared the rope for a six on the short side, but then tried one legside swipe too many and lost his off stump.
That brought in Sam H to accompany Gregory, and Sam demonstrated that he was in murderous mood, almost literally as his first ball was hammered straight towards the umpire (me), only to smash into the stumps. Gregory was out of his ground but there was no touch from the bowler (he fancied keeping his fingers intact). After Gregory sliced a ball through third man for four, Sam then clubbed a ball in the air straight towards the umpire (me), who had to take evasive action as it reached the boundary in no time. Two more fours in the over, following a double overthrow that gave Gregory three runs and had him a little out of breath, kept the scoreboard moving at a pace.
Sam’s innings was soon over, with two more fours taking him to 25 retired off just 9 balls, although he did have an escape when a tough chance was dropped at deep square leg, with the ball subsequently trickling into the boundary rope. That left Liam C and Gregory to close out the innings, with the main bit of excitement being whether Gregory could reach a first retirement of the season. He had two opportunities in the last over, sat on 24, but the umpire (me) denied him with a (correct) signal for a leg bye off the last ball of the innings. That took us to an enormous 186/3 off 20 overs, possibly a record.
As is customary, Jake opened the bowling, and he thought he had a wicket as a yorker breached the opener’s defences, but their umpire called a no-ball for overstepping. Jake wasn’t happy. Finn K, our U11 player, bowled an immaculate line and length in the next over, though, and got the same batter out by taking out his off stump. There were two drops in successive deliveries soon after: one a very tough diving chance to Jake at short cover off the last ball of one over and the other going straight to Adam at a too-short slip which went in and back out again off the first ball of the next.
Puneeth and Will bowled tightly before their number three batter was called through for a sharp single off a Liam C delivery, as Gregory fielded sharply and threw in hard on the bounce to almost leave Sam with time to make a cup of tea before flicking the bails off with one glove. More tight overs from Ollie and Finn (again) followed, then Puneeth struck the stumps twice in an over to finish with figures of 2/10.
Their umpire gave the benefit of the doubt to the batter in one over, as he was unsure whether an audible sound through to the keeper was from the thigh pad or the bat (and the batter had apparently not felt it). There was a period of indecision but eventually there was a not out adjudication.
At one point, Lindow were 12/4 but they rebuilt with a 29-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Gregory as captain marshalled the team very well, ensuring those who hadn’t batted got their two overs in early. Prompted by the wicket keeper, Sam, he did allow himself to bowl an over, a maiden, though. Their best batsman got two lovely fours off Shazil, bowling off a shorter run in the diminishing light, but they were still only at 39 off 13 overs.
Will came into the attack and found some bounce to induce a top edge which was pouched easily by Adam, moving behind Sam who kept excellently all match. The next ball was defended by the new batter, but it unfortunately trickled off his pad and onto the stumps, dislodging the leg bail. The batter stood there nonplussed but had to walk, with a shout from behind the scorer asking for the mode of dismissal (“bowled” shouted the umpire (me)).
41/4 had become 41/6 and it was soon 43/8. First, the batters tried an ill-judged single to Puneeth at backward square leg, hurtling the ball to Sam who smartly broke the stumps for a run-out. Then Jake, who switched from spin to pace for the final ball of the over, against my wishes, got a top edge in the fading light which dropped straight to Sam who did not have to move far.
Given the light, it was pretty much spin only from this point, as Adam and then Archie, not used to bowling spin (or “mystery spin” as Adam described his, which also featured a Tariq-esque pause on the crease before delivery) eventually found their lines and lengths to bowl the last two batters, to leave Lindow all out on 50 runs in the penultimate over, with a huge 136-run margin of victory (possibly a record but who is going to check).
It was not much of a contest, but everyone got a decent go, and it was played in good spirits (maybe a bit too lively from Mersey at times but they are nothing if not enthusiastic!). They also hustled well at the request of both umpires, concerned with the light, and we got through the 20 overs in maybe only 65 minutes (having started the second innings at close to 7.45pm). Given Cheadle are taking this competition seriously, we’re unlikely to top the group and so that leaves one last game to come, against Sale on Thursday. PA
Tuesday 11th August 2026: High Peak U13s summer competition T20 (Group B)
Heaton Mersey Magic 104/5 (20) lost to Bramhall Beavers 143/6 (20) by 39 runs (Scorecard)
Magic lost to a strong and well-organised team on another hot and sticky evening at the HMV ground. Bramhall won the toss and elected to field.
Dispute an early wicket from Felix’s bowling, excellently caught behind by wicket keeper Charlie, Bramhall started to build a healthy score. Further wickets from Thomas C (two), Monty and Lloyd helped to restrict Bramhall’s progress, but they posted a daunting total of 143 runs.
The chase started brightly with Thomas L and Charlie both scoring 15 runs. Felix was the top scorer with 23, including 4 fours. Shawaiz scored 12 off 12 ball at the end, but it wasn’t enough with Heaton Mersey ending up on 105/5 off their 20 overs.
A rare defeat for the Magic. The team battled hard for every wicket and run, but Bramhall proved too good on this occasion. You can’t win them all! Onwards to the next match. TA
Thursday 13th August 2026: High Peak U13s summer competition T20 (Group C)
Sale Falcons 126/5 (20) beat Heaton Mersey Phoenix 98/7 (20) by 28 runs (Scorecard)
After a long time, I got the opportunity to lead the team and stand as an umpire in a juniors game, which I enjoyed thoroughly. Although the result was not in our favour, the competitive cricket from both teams kept me entertained.
Captain Naeem lost the toss and the opposition captain chose to bat first, which is what Naeem wanted to do due to it being a sunny and scorching day. Nevertheless, in the first over, Shazil took a wicket. After that, their batters played sensibly but George was able to break the partnership after a brilliant ball and a brilliant catch (off his own bowling) in the 9th over.
Right after the drinks break, Huzaifah bowled the other set batter on his first ball of the over with a brilliant spin delivery leaving 2 new batters at the crease.
In the next over, the debutant James had looked like he had took a wicket with Jake taking a breath-taking catch. However, the drama started when the umpire (Hassan) gave it a no-ball due to his foot landed outside crease. Not out. Overall, James showed great enthusiasm in the field and in his bowling, and nearly got a wicket on his debut.
Huzaifah then took another wicket because of a great catch from Shazil and then in the last over Liam took a wicket, with another catch from Shazil, giving us a target of 127.
We started the batting well with Shazil smashed all around the ground. He retired and then Jake got bowled right after the drinks break. In the 11th over, George and Huzaifah realised that they needed a lot of runs and hit 5 fours (4 from Huzaifah and 1 from George) in the next 3 overs to up the run rate and then Huzaifah retired.
Due to the required run rate creeping up, our batters started taking risks and lost wickets at regular intervals. George, James, and Sam got out in the next 3 overs and in the 18th over Ollie and Naem got out followed by Archie in the 19th over. In the end, they fell 28 runs short.
The team played superbly and I am immensely proud of them, and you could tell everyone was trying their absolute hardest but, in the end, Sale were the better team. HH
Friday 14th August 2026: South Manchester U13s summer cup T20 (Group C)
Macclesfield 105/1 (16.5) beat Heaton Mersey U13s 103/7 (20) by 9 wickets (Scorecard)
Mersey were well beaten by a solid Macclesfield side in this South Manchester summer cup clash away. Mersey won the toss and decided to bat first. From the off, Mersey struggled to score as the home side bowled with an excellent line and length. Wickets fell at regular intervals as Mersey could not break free and build partnerships.
The away side were reduced to 67/7 and looked in danger of not batting their allotted 20 overs. But Jake and Sam W put on an unbeaten partnership of 35. This pair batted sensibly, rebuilding the innings by defending stoutly, pushing for quick singles and hitting some lovely boundaries. Jake progressed through his innings and retired on 30* (off 28 balls) which included 3 fours and a glorious 6. Sam W batted well, hitting some pleasant shots square on the off and onside and remained unbeaten, Mersey finishing on a subpar score of 103/7.
Early wickets were much needed by the away side but, despite some steady bowling, the home side survived the initial overs and did not lose any wickets by the end of the tenth over, scoring 40 runs. Every over contained a 4 ball and this dented the away side’s hopes.
Their openers defending well and, despite many plays and misses, accelerated the scoring. Sam H struck in the 10th over with a classic left arm spinner’s arm ball, but any hopes of victory were squashed as a dropped catch in Sam’s 2nd over stopped any momentum for the away side. The home side cantered to victory as some loose bowling in overs 14 to 16 meant that Macclesfield reached the target with 3 overs to spare
The pink match ball was awarded to Younus for his fantastic all round play this season. This was Younus’ last game for Mersey before he relocates to Barcelona with his family. Good luck Younus on your new adventure!!!
Areas for improvement – batting: rotating the strike more and running the first run hard; better shot selection. Fielding: changing the field to stop singles when wickets are hard to come by to get more dot balls and putting the pressure back on the batting side. JH
Tuesday 18th August 2026: High Peak U13s summer competition T20 (Group B)
Heaton Mersey Magic 84/4 (13/3) beat Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge 81/7 (20) by 6 wickets (Scorecard)
On a cool, cloudy evening at Green Lane, the last game of the Magic’s summer cup campaign (and the team’s season) took place. Captain, Arjo, won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Mersey operated a classic High Peak bowling strategy, with each bowler bowling one over (except for Zane, who was carrying a knee injury as he fielded at long stop). Joe struck first with Felix taking an excellent catch running backwards at cover. The away side found it hard to score as Mersey’s bowlers bowled a challenging line just outside off stump.
Lloyd then entered the fray and bowled an excellent line and, as a result, the away side’s running hesitancy caused a run-out (a Felix and Charlie combo). Ollie R then bowled a superb over, taking two wickets with accurate slow/medium pace.
The away side then batted sensibly and put on a solid partnership until Arjo struck with a classic arm ball which demolished the batter’s stumps. Joe then got a run-out as the away side’s innings petered out. Arjo took another wicket as the away side finished on below par score of 81/7. A mention for Paddy who bowled much better this match.
Mersey started their innings solidly before Arjo was trapped plumb LBW as he shuffled across his crease. Charlie fell shortly after and Joe joined Felix at the crease. The pair batted fluently from the start, taking the game away from the visitors with sharply taken quick singles and elegant cover drives as the outfield showed no signs of slowing despite the rain in the previous couple of days They put on 40 runs before Felix perished to a mistimed pull to midwicket.
Shawaiz immediately blasted two lofted on drives to the boundary to reduce the runs to win to a handful. He then attempted to hit the ball out of the ground and was bowled (much to his own amusement!!!). Joe then retired for a superb 25*, his first retirement of the season as he batted a classic #4 batter’s innings.
Zayaan hit the winning runs with a couple of aggressive off-side shots and Mersey won by 6 wickets. It was an excellent game with both sides playing cricket with a superb spirit and they enjoyed themselves. Thanks to Mike for scoring. The pink match ball was awarded by captain, Arjo, and vice-captain, Shawaiz, to Ollie R, for his superb bowling and fielding in his first match since breaking his wrist. JH
Friday 21st August 2026: South Manchester U13s summer cup T20 (Group C)
Heaton Mersey U13s 84/3 (14.1) beat Hale Barns 82 all out (19.3) by 7 wickets (Scorecard)
It was a resounding win for Mersey in the final summer cup group game of the season. Captain Felix won the toss and decided to bowl on a freshly cut and green-tinged pitch at Green Lane.
Mersey immediately bowled an immaculate line and length as the opening batters struggled to score on a pitch offering enough movement and variable bounce to interest the bowlers. Shazil struck first, clean bowling the opening batter. All the home side’s bowlers bowled through the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ as the away batters continually played and missed.
Shawaiz bowled the other opener with an absolute beauty hitting the top of off stump. Zayaan struck next with a lovely swinging delivery and the away side were all at sea as Arjo struck twice in successive deliveries, recovering well after being hit for two fours off the first half of his second over.
Shazil and Sam H combined for a run-out in over 14 and Zayaan struck again, with a smart catch by Charlie behind the stumps. Felix, with two wickets (one stumped by Charlie), and Stan, with the last wicket, brought the innings to close as the away side finished on a below par 82 all out. A special mention to Charlie for not conceding a bye during the bowling innings (to go with his catch and stumping).
The away side bowled well in the initial overs, removing Shawaiz to a superb yorker. However, Shazil and Felix batted with great maturity, pushing hard for quick singles and hitting bad balls for boundaries. With Hale Barns spraying the ball about, the score ticked along at a rate of 5 or 6 runs per over and well ahead of the required rate.
Felix batted serenely, with a couple of glorious fours in the 10th over, before being bowled for a cultured 19 (off 24 balls) including 3 fours. Shazil continued to bat with supreme confidence and retired on a classy 30* (off 38 balls) including 4 fours. Despite losing Stan, Joe joined Sam at the crease and the match was won with a six into the tennis courts off the first ball that Sam faced (600 strike rate). Mersey finishing on 84/3.
The pink match ball was awarded by captain Felix and vice-captain Sam to Shazil for his excellent batting and bowling. With this victory, Mersey are through to the summer cup semi-final. The draw for the semi finals has not taken place, so once this occurs details will be shared and an availability poll will be sent out. Congratulations to the squad!!! (We were later confirmed to be drawn against Didsbury.)
Areas for improvement – this was an all-round superb display so nothing to note today. JH
Authors denoted by the initials; all match reports (sub-)edited by PA.
