Nick’s summation of a sensational 1s win – their third in a row – is the perfect way to start this week’s review, filled end to end as it is with good news of wins for many of our senior sides, plus a fabulous personal achievement. The senior week began on Tuesday as the 2s cruised through the first round of their T20 defence with a 72 run win at H.Mersey, and 24 hours later the over 40s made it two wins in a row with an 11 run win over Woodford.

It seems the stand-in skipper has the ‘mash-tic’ touch (sorry) – Andrew said “for the second week running we bowled and fielded very well, after a patient 30* from Steve and a typically stylish 30* from Sunil – and a vital 22 psp for the 6th wkt between Uzzy and Andy - got us to 115-7 on a pitch that may have firmed up by mid-August. Like the T20 World Cup it looked a low score but felt competitive. And so it proved, Woodford restricted to 41 off their first 10 and too much to do in the second half.”

Then followed the excitement of the U13s winning their cup match on Friday evening, but things took a turn. Heavy rain fell and the matchday anticipation was engulfed in a cloud of uncertainty. But thanks to the wonders and the sheer hard graft lovingly put in by Barbs and the team, we were to have a weekend to remember.

Before we get onto the mens games, the outstanding personal achievement of the weekend came at Chester on Sunday. All rise, please, as Didsbury pays tribute to Roshini, a Prince (Navaratnam) amongst batters, who hammered 141 for the womens 1s. 122 bs, 20 fours and a six from our no.1 batter, some 70% of the team total of 201, past 4,000 runs for the club now and poised to register many more. What an effort! Rosh confirmed to me it was her highest ever score (highest in the league so far this season too, she observed) (and it will take some beating) but was too modest to elaborate further, so she got Rosie D to pen a description of the game.

“Wickets began falling and we found ourselves 71-5 with Rosh on 36*. Rosh pushed on around drinks, reaching her 50 and peppering the boundary. Her 100 soon followed with the team 146-8. Georgina Birkinshaw batted wonderfully at the other end, allowing Rosh to accelerate, eventually being caught for a superb 141. We ended on a commendable 201. Chester began strongly in the powerplay but we had an early wicket from Hannah Marshall. Chester's no. 2 and 3 built a strong partnership of 78 which was broken by Pooja Singh with Chester on 99-2. We kept battling as Chester piled on the runs - some late wickets with 10 overs to go making for a tense finish. Unfortunately, we were not able to keep the run rate down and Chester chased down the total with 2 overs to go.”

And so back to Saturday. The 2As were looking to build on a fine win last week but the rain put paid to that at Mere as they reached 112-4 against Sale. But Rehmani was encouraged, especially with junior Bidders back! “Yes I lost the toss and we were put in on full green pitch. We had a useful start, with Tom B and James Bidwell putting on 34 on a very green wet wicket. Rob and Marcus carried on and we crossed 100. Saad and Reuben looked good but sadly the rain never gave us a chance to get back”.

The 2s were more fortunate – and utterly clinical - with a rapid 8 wkt win at Brooklands, their sixth win in seven. With that second team habit of surnames only, Ryan was so satisfied he actually used a first name in his summation! “Won the toss and bowled on a green top, with rain looming we bowled accurately to dismiss them for 82. Alex Young bowling a lively spell before Catt and Mian cleaned up. In the chase we lost Stoneman and Young cheaply before Gaudie and Airey scored aggressively to see us home in 15 overs just before the heavens opened.”

Part of what made the 1s win even sweeter was, as a still-elated Nick told me, the fact that many of the 2s were there watching on and supporting the guys. “It was another scintillating win for the 1s, stealing a march as much of the Prem got rained off. The quality of the ground facilitated us playing at all and we are so grateful to Barbs and his team. Following hours of hard work on the ground, I lost the toss and we got put in. The game was already reduced to 46 overs, but we ended up declaring on 239 after 40. Haf batted superbly, firstly with Yoz, and then alongside middle order cameos from Sehm, Charlie and myself.”

(JE writes – for ‘cameos’ read some truly glorious ball-striking, Nick almost clearing the trees at the F.Moss end, Charlie nailing those beautiful reverse-sweeps, and Rob Sehmi also hitting powerfully and cleanly.)

“Neston were 40-0 off 9 when the rain came again, giving us just 27 overs to get the 10 wickets needed. Thankfully Boothy went on a roll and we got 5 wickets in as many overs! However, a partnership developed and we ended up needing 4 wickets in 6 overs. Enter Jonty who unlocked the game with a wicket, I got a couple and then it rained, again. Just 2.2 overs to get the last wicket! And that’s exactly how long we needed. Steve had the last over and with the very last ball took the wicket to win us the game. The livestream is worth a watch. This is the only time I’ve ever played in a last ball victory, and the excitement was through the roof!”

Nick was also quick to praise the fielding (“we caught tremendously” was how he put it) specifically pointing out Rob’s brilliant reaction grab at slip - which I believe is on our Instagram - as being well worth a watch. Henrik has elsewhere described some of the finer detail of the game so I will sum up by describing it as a win that epitomises what makes cricket special, and what makes Didsbury special.

Incidentally the 1s won without playing on the Sunday, Longton disappointingly conceding the national KO match scheduled, so the 1s are now through to the national stages, which means a trip to Nottinghamshire to take on Kimberley Institute, who Nantwich have beaten twice in the last two seasons in this comp. It promises to be an intriguing tussle, Sunday July 7 the date.

On Sunday it was the turn of the 3s to keep the good news coming as they beat Grappenhall by 118 runs. JB spaketh thus: “A proper team performance. Best of the season by a mile. I will say, though, that we dropped two points through some silly middle order batting. So many of us getting in and getting out. Good that we’re finding form but poor that none of us went on and made a score. Bowling was sublime. Can’t pick out one as they all bowled so well. Joe Ramsden (7-2-16-2) continues to bowl as well as I’ve seen any 3rd teamer bowl. Quick and accurate and deserves all the results he’s currently getting.”

Jack was on Cheshire duty but chief petty officer Renison M led his charges gallantly in deepest Ashtonia, the swollen Mersey witnessing a 54 run triumph as it flowed gracefully by. Jack kayaked all the way to catch up with the team. “Yes, I saw the last 25 overs or so. Under Mike’s excellent captaincy we posted 175 batting first but were also bowled out with five to go. It's a decent total, but we certainly should've got another 25-30 in the last five. Kush opening the batting for a fantastic 55 and Mike continuing his good run with 42 were the main contributors. Those lost runs didn't matter in the end as we bowled the opposition out for 120. Aarron Grimbaldeston took two in two, then a comedy run out off a dropped catch saw us on top early. Xavi Switzer ran through the rest to finish with the an outstanding 10-3-37-6. A fantastic achievement which he has worked very hard to get.”

The 3s and 4s have thankfully not been drawn together in the quarter-finals of the T20 – the 3s will host Bramhall while the 4s will travel to Grappenhall. The fixtures will be played as soon as they can be fitted in, with an end of July deadline.

The 5s didn’t play, the Knights were called off (again) and Paul’s Wanderers were pipped by just 13 runs in a tight finish at Bredbury, the W’s last wicket falling to a run out with 10 deliveries left unused. They remain fourth in the table, however.

Zoe’s women’s 2s won their hardball game against Buxton by 31 runs. Jessye Sadler top scored with 38, with Ramilee Cabral and Louise Hevican each making 20. Ramilee then ran out the Buxton opener for a 91-ball 38 (the only Buxton player into double figures), Jessye took 2-7, and with Katie Conroy 2-8 and Sasha Turnock 3-24, it was an excellent bowling effort, the skipper herself taking the final wicket.

A weekend that really does capture what is so special about our fantastic club! Congratulations all round.