Apologies again to both of my readers for this combined report catching up on a busy last couple of weeks – I must do better! But with it being such a busy period in the cricketing calendar there’s lots of umpiring to catch up on and I have still managed to get some scoring done too. Lots of great news to report and as such the round-up is split into cup games and league games.

Cup – 3rd & 4th XI
For the second time in three seasons Didsbury will have two sides at 3rd XI Finals Day. The 3s extraordinary record in this competition is approaching legendary status and their 9 run QF win at Marple last Weds meant they will be making their ninth successive appearance at Finals Day. Ninth! It wasn’t straightforward on a tricky surface at Bowden Lane, and with a blinding sun playing its part in making fielding challenging, it was one of those games where although they were far from their clinical best, the 3s did enough and found a way to exert pressure on spirited opponents.

Last night the 4s sealed their second Finals Day appearance with a much more comprehensive win over Davenham, and 15 yr old Ibrahim is very much the talk of the town/club after a sparkling 103* (74 bs, 3x6, 12x4). Described on the WhatsApp chat as “amazing”, “class to watch”, “truly special”, “brilliant strokeplay” “fearless intent”and “maturity beyond his years” it was clearly a wonderful night to be at Dids. Zohaib more than played his part too with an excellent 57 (33 bs) as the pair piled on 130 for the 1st wkt at roughly 10 an over.

Make a note of the date – Sunday July 5th for Finals Day. With Georgians also there (although it seems their ground might already have another booking for that date) and with Toft and Nantwich meeting next week, I am not sure of our chances of hosting the event two years in a row, but we will see.

Cup – 1st & 2nd XI
Nick’s side travel to Sale on Thurs in the T20, knowing that a win will see them qualify and hopefully finish top of the group in the process, which I believe means a home draw in the last 16 (tie scheduled for July 2nd). Then, this coming Sunday is their replayed Cheshire Cup match at Macclesfield – the abandoned game was covered by Henrik in a special feature. Should we progress, an away trip to Nantwich in R3 is up next (July 12th).

The 2s progressed easily into R3 of their T20 knockout after marmalising Div 2 Ashton OM last night. Stellar batting led (not for the first time in T20) by Jack H saw him smash a felicitous 59-ball 103 (6x6, 10x4) – that first skimming six smacked into the scorebox and knocked a large length of wood right out! I advised AOM to bill Mr D.Anderson at DCC, helpfully providing his home address and contact details. Tom Bidder hit three massive sixes onto the golf course in one over, and Isaac stuck the boot in at the end by clattering 37 off the last 8 balls he faced (he finished 44* off 15 in all).

League - Women
It’s not just the men getting the century plaudits – our brilliant Rosh has been giving it more bosh with a quite magnificent 139* (122 bs) which led to a chunky 127 run win over Northop Hall on Sun. After an exciting tie against Leyland last Sun the 1s are in third spot in Div 1, just nine pts off the top. Rosh’s side have also had a match in their T20 Championship, where she again made a key contribution of 40. Emily W hit a handy 32 and it was then Hannah M who came up with the goods as she bowled a terrific last over, conceding just six as Oakmere fell three runs short of victory.

Womens 2s & 3s
Not such a good couple of weeks for the 2nd XI who exited the T20 plate competition and lost their league game with Alvanley, although they remain 3rd in Div 2. The 3rd XI have had just one game in that time, losing out in a thriller to Langley by 1 run.

League – O40’s, Knights & Wanderers
No good news to report for any of the above teams I am afraid, but such is life. Seven games in and the Knights still have just the solitary win to celebrate after they lost out by 4 wkts to Stockport on Sun. It’s been equally tough for the Wanderers who have lost out in both their Div 3 East fixtures since the last report, with a frustrating loss to Lindow 5s on Sun (who were 92-6 needing 158) their latest outing. The Ws remain sixth in the ten-team division. The O40s were beaten by Sale last Weds so they have now won 2, lost 2, with 2 cancelled, in Central Div 2.

5s – Simon’s side have won and lost in the last couple of weeks. Encouraging 4-fers for Zain Ali (v Davenham) and Nate Turner (v Bredbury) have brought some cheer and overall, with the team in fourth spot and very much ‘on the premises’, things are not too shabby.

4s – things have picked up nicely for our Div 1 representatives, especially the emergence of exciting prospect Jack Prince who peppered the boundary with a cavalcade of glorious strokeplay (it says in his message to me) to reach a maiden half-century in the 155-run demolition of Bowdon. Zak Ekstein also bowled really well to finish with 2.4-2-4-5 – great stuff!

3s – after an abandonment with Sale, JB’s men just lost out in another tight scrap in the most competitive Premier Div in some years, going down at Stockport Georgians on Sun with just 10 balls remaining in the match. Four different sides have been top of the table at some point already this season which gives an indication of what will be an intriguing campaign. If the 3s play to the top end of their ability they will be there or thereabouts.

2As – calamity upon calamity has befallen Rehmani’s side, with seven consecutive league losses consigning the brightest of starts firmly in the Uber rear-view mirror. Last Saturday was another example of the kind of rut the 2As are stuck in at the moment, several batsmen getting starts against a decent Alderley Edge side, but no-one getting past 30. Jan S – who has been impressive with ball in hand this season - quickly had AE 12-3 needing 148, but chances went a-begging and it was another sadly another bleak day. We can but hope that a spark from somewhere will turn things round.

2s – much happier news from Ryan’s excellent side who pulled off perhaps the result of the season so far in beating a very strong Nantwich side by 40 runs in what the skipper described to me as “the best bowling performance in my whole tenure as captain”. James Bidder cleaning up Lou Vincent was a real highlight in defending 197, and the 2s remain in good shape to maintain their amazing record in the Prem – four titles and a second place (with 462 pts!) post-Covid.

1s – Two really encouraging wins for Nick’s men since the last report sees them at the top of a competitive Prem. It has been a struggle to take 10 wkts in the WLD format of games – which started with two draws – but the bizarre win at Cheadle, when not one over of spin was bowled in the match, followed by a comprehensive hammering of Oxton, has seen 20 opposition wkts fall. It’s been an extra boost to have Jonty in such great form to provide the variety of left arm over pace. Alex continues to impress and the General just does his thing – and with James G and the skip to call upon, and Joe Cooke back to full fitness, there’s plenty of options to call upon with others knocking on the door too. Lots of challenges ahead, as there always will be for a top side, but with league and cup action coming thick and fast, hopefully lots more wins to talk about too.