In what is a remarkable achievement for the club, we have two boys teams heading to North Finals day in the ECB National Club Championships. This marks the last 16 in the country. Not only is this a difficult stage to reach with one team, to do it with two is quite amazing. Both teams have won seven games to reach this stage, beating county winners from Durham, Yorkshire, and Northumberland, along with other league winners from Lancashire. Further to this, it is the fourth year in a row we have had at least one age group reach this part of the competition, and the second year in three that both have. This repeated success across multiple age brackets and different groups of players is amazing to see. A very well done to the players for their superb efforts at training, their attitude and approach during their matches, and for their amazing individual and team performances; we hope they continue it for the rest of the season. Thanks to all the parents for their volunteering as managers and scorers, and for their continued support of the club and players. As for how the teams got to North Finals;

The 15s made a second arduous journey to the North East on Sunday, having beaten Durham’s county winners in Seaham Harbour the week before. This time they’d play one of the major clubs in the region, South Northumberland CC. A club that often hosts Durham first class matches as an outground has famously won several major 1st XI national championships. Compared to a club of their size, facilities, and history, we are a minnow! It would be a wasted journey in the end. Rain would mean that only four overs could be completed before the umpires had to take the players off. At 35/1 off just 5 overs we had started well, but the groundsman wouldn’t let the game continue. They were hosting a Durham four day game in the following week… so it was probably fair enough! With the danger of a potential bowl out, and even the mention of a dreaded coin toss, it felt like getting a game played would be impossible. However, South Northumberland made the superb effort to come down to Manchester just a couple of days later, replaying the match at Cheadle. A massive thank you to them, and to Cheadle for hosting us at such late notice.

2-1 and 22-2 turned into 36-3 and 54-4, and at 65-5 we looked a long way off from posing a competitive total. However as always in this competition, it's our depth that shines through. Pranav, Nate S, and Blake all adding crucial runs to our total and importantly we blasted 42 off the last five overs. A modest 106 posted from our 20, we’d have to bowl and field superbly to defend it. Miserly starts from Didsbury, and a superb day for Albert who dismissed key batters. With only 9 extras given away, and only four boundaries hit against us, we were as good as we needed to be. An over from Nate T ripped through their order as he took three wickets, all bowled. A great moment of sportsmanship from Isaac was perhaps the proudest moment of the day for the coaching team, as he refused to run-out a player injured by an ankle-crunching yorker, despite the pressure of the match situation. The ever-reliable Milan ended the game in style with a one handed catch off his own bowling. Well done to the 15s!

For the 13s, it was a trip over the Pennines to Yorkshire. Always a tough match against a very strong county. Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC were terrific hosts, and their generous hospitality lasted throughout the day. Another well organised and successful club, their 1st XI are strong contenders in the North Yorkshire Prem, and have also had success in the National Club Championship. Lots of prestige for us to overcome! An important toss was won by Raafe and we batted first. A brilliant start by our top three as Raafe himself, Sumukh, and Bilal put us in the ascendancy with some of the best running between the wickets we’ve seen at this age group. A 61 run opening stand was a match winning performance. Some excellent bowling by their returning openers saw them put some pressure on us at the back end of the innings, but a total of 119/6 felt like it was above par considering the massive boundary sizes put out. A moment of magic with the ball, as Bilal took two wickets in two balls, the second crashing into the stumps of their captain and key batter first ball. It felt like that was the moment of the game, and then a terrific quick stumping off Reuben’s bowling by Raafe to dismiss a hard hitting batter sealed the game. The boys had to finish the job though, and Sunay delivered; taking four wickets (2.1-0-8-4) as he spun the ball sharply past the bat for three more stumpings for the captain. A mention to the incredible discipline by the bowlers, only giving away two wides and zero no-balls in 17 overs. The final wicket brought a significant 38 run win margin.

It’s off to York CC for the U15s on Tuesday 4th August (Next week!). They are due to play Aberdeenshire CC in the Semi Final. York is a superb set up with the club regularly hosting Yorkshire’s county team. For the U13s, it’s Wednesday 5th August. They meet a regular competitor in Cavaliers and Carrington CC from Nottinghamshire. We’ve had plenty of close and competitive games against them in the past. 10:30am starts for both games. A win would take them into the North Final later that day; the final 8 in the country. It should prove to be a very exciting day and an amazing experience for both groups of players.