It’s been a healthy run of games for the U11 Lions who have found themselves on the right side of the last six out of seven games. Two wins over Lindow, bowling them out for 57 in one game, has seen them cruising through the division. In the division-title deciding match the Lions blasted Macc for 177/2 and bowled them out for just 54. An amazing stat for one of the Lions; George Mashiter has only been dismissed once; his string of retirements has seen him collect an average of 206! The U11 Tigers have found themselves in some very tight games, including the rarest of results; a tie! Wythenshawe required just five off the last over, three down, for the win. George H was able to bowl three dot balls as he tackled the last over, and was able to secure the tie off the final ball.

Mixed success for the U15 Pythons and Vipers. Although both have struggled to pick up strings of wins, and have had some tough losses, there has been plenty of individual and team success. It’s been a struggle to get sides out at times, and both sides have been heavily bolstered by the addition of the U13s, who have come in and performed brilliantly against the older boys. A shoutout to Dawud for the Pythons, who blasted 45 off 33, hitting a six off his last ball to retire. In a superb win, The Vipers pulled off two amazing run-outs and wicketkeeper-turned-bowler Raafe took a hattrick, combining with Toby’s keeping for a stumping and a caught behind for two of the wickets.

Loads of success for our Diamonds! The U11 girls have blasted their league, going undefeated so far, and winning the CGCL Cup, beating Neston in the final. The U9s girls have won 5 from 5. The U15s and U13s have a couple of games to go, and should finish in a strong position in both divisions. The success of the Diamonds teams, and the number of girls playing across the age groups is fantastic to see.

The U13 Bulls topped their division, beating Bowdon in their final game to seal the title. It was the final over vs Brooklands that was the highlight though, needing 12 to win 7 down, Nikhil and Luka managed to blast 15 off it, Nikhil hitting a four off the last ball to get the team over the line. The Buffs have struggled in terms of results, but they have had a tough run of teams in division one. Marred by some availability issues, they have been bolstered by both the U11s and the Diamonds, who have come in and performed brilliantly.

The U9 boys continue to win! A very happy coach, Tom, tells me. They have progressed into the play-offs after finishing atop of their zone. With over 33 players used, it’s safe to say there are plenty of “Minis” coming through and suggests the future continues to be bright for our junior sections.

The U17s and U18s boys sides have begun. Their post-exams season has kicked off with great wins vs Georgians and Hyde. Combined they have won 5 from 5, and both teams look likely to progress through to the knockout stages. A late flurry from OG, smashing 40 off 20, including two back to back scoops, saw us 162 vs Heaton Mersey, and a crawl over the line, chasing 147 off the penultimate ball vs Georgians means the 18s are top of the group. For the 17s in the Hundred ball comp; at 32-5 and 53-6, victory against Romiley looked a long way off but late order contributions from Raafe, Milan, and Zak plus a helpful hand from E.X. Tras saw us get up to 123. Zain’s two wickets off his first two balls put the game firmly in Didsbury’s control for a 32 run win. Another helping of wides from Hyde saw the 17s recover from 2-8 and 3-18 to 133 off their 100 balls, the key contribution a 39 from Aarron, included three sixes, as he fell one short of his retirement. The total was too much to chase for Hyde against our arsenal of spinners.

The big news is that the U13 and U15 boys are both Lancashire cup winners! In what is a fourth cup win a row for the age group, the 15s powered past the regular-competition of Farnworth Social Circle. In what can only be considered a bold choice, Farnworth stuck us in. With Krishav and Nate smashing 17 runs off the 5th over, the decision looked a poor one. Krishav’s six reportedly making it almost back to Didsbury, bouncing away down the hill. It was Nate who would go on though, through to his retirement. A superb 50* off just 23 balls, with 7 fours and two sixes. A match winning performance under pressure. Isaac would join his partner in equally crashing FSC around, his 45 off 30 coming at a crucial time to cruise the 15s past 152/7 off 20 overs. It was ultimately 37 too many, as the big win margin signified the performance the 15s had put in. Nate’s fine day continuing with 4-1-18-2 and dismissing their key batter. After their Lancs cup win the 15s travelled all the way up to Seaham Harbour in Durham for the first round of the national. Missing some players, and with low availaiblity from boys within the age group, two U13s bolstered the team. Albert starred with the ball, picking up four wickets as Didsbury restricted them to just 75/7 from 20 overs. They had given away 20 wides in that, and looked like that might be costly as at 32/2 in the chase, it felt things could slip away from the 15s quite quickly. A calming partnership from Ibby and Pranav saw most of the work done, however, and a 6 wicket win in the 14th over saw the 15s into the next round. The U13s powered past Lowerhouse in their Lancashire cup final. All three of the top order, Sumukh, Raafe, and Bilal, all retired as we cruised past 100 none down. A little flurry of wickets meant a late push in momentum for Lowerhouse, but 131/4 looked a big target. Sufi and Fahad were superb as always with the new ball, a LBW scalp for Sufi whilst Fahad forced a false shot as Sumukh held on to a good catch; 2 overs 1 maiden 1 run 1 wicket Fahad’s final figures. Steady wickets fell, and eventually Rishi cleaned up their remaining batters, claiming 4-1-7-3 in an awesome performance. A 65 run win margin summed up how well Didsbury had played. Its the fourth Lancs cup win in five years for the U13s. The ability to replicate success in these cups despite the natural change in players across the age groups is fantastic and is a clear indicator of the continued strength of our junior section.

The 13s and 15s both play tomorrow in the National Round 2. Two long journeys await, but the 15s certainly have it tougher! All the way up to the fantastically named South Northumberland CC to play their county winners, whilst the 13s make the journey to Yorkshire, playing Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC. Best of luck to both teams, who if successful, make it to North Finals Day, which would be the fourth year in a row we would have a team reach that stage; last 16 in the country!