With both the U13 and U15 boys drawn against the NWCL in their respective cups, it was a double header against the boys from Bolton. Familiar faces in Farnworth Social Circle for the U13s, but some new opposition in Blackrod for the U15s. The North West Cricket League is a small league, especially when it comes to junior cricket, but are often fierce competitors. With the wins in the previous rounds resulting in us winning the GMCL cups with both age groups, every opponent from now on has won their respective competition, league, or zone.

The 13s were up first. With a trip to Farnworth SC, the boys made the arduous journey round the M60 mid week for an evening clash. We’ve played FSC at least once every season, with one of the age groups, so we’ve come to know what to expect, but equally they know what to expect from us. Our record against them is obviously very good, but each season they have shown they have some excellent talent. After a terribly wet and rainy week, we were thankful to get the game on as our first attempt at playing on the Sunday was postponed to Tuesday. A great effort by their club to keep our wicket dry and match-fit, despite further rain on the Monday, had meant we could play. With two umpires officiating it meant I was forced into the stands, something I can never decide if I actually prefer or not, and with FSC winning the toss and curiously choosing to bowl, it was time for us to bat.

I say it was a curious decision, only because of the innate value of forcing teams to chase adds an easy way to apply scoreboard pressure, but the wicket was soft and slow after the weekends rain. Their bowlers got off to a good start, keeping Raafe under wraps early, Archie only facing four balls in the first four overs. Only wides kept our scoreboard ticking over. as Raafe, desiring pace on the ball, found very little and would sadly feather one through to the keeper. Archie, needing to step up to cover the loss of runs of his opening partner, quickly found his rhythm; he smashed three fours in an over to get us flying. He and Nate batting in quick time, rotating well, and punishing anything wide or short to the boundary. Archie would fall for an excellent 28 off 29, trying to find one last boundary but being caught in the ring. Nate would crash his way to a rapid 33* off just 20 balls, his powerful strikes through the ring were too much for the FSC to handle and completely changed the atmosphere of the game. A quick hit a four and done innings from Harry, meant Isaac and Raco were at the crease. As two of our tallest, they towered above the FSC bowlers, and made quick work of rattling up our run rate. Well ran singles and twos were bolstered by boundaries, but after back to back fours, one shot too many saw the end of Raco, but their partnership had taken us safely past the 100 mark. Not to be disrupted by the loss of his partner, Isaac proceeded to launch a massive six the very next ball. Well supported by selfless running from Sumukh and Patrick, saw Isaac take us past 110, 120, and then 130 as his 31* off 21 carried the back end of our innings. With an extremely impressive 58 runs coming from singles, twos, and a brilliant three alone; we posted 135/4 from our 20 looked a massive total, especially considering the soft wicket had begun to deteriorate and misbehave…

What was already a tall task for Farnworth was made doubly so by the accuracy of our opening bowlers. Harry and Nate giving nothing away with the scoreboard reading 10-0 from the first five overs. Continued miserly bowling from our change bowlers brought about an inevitable wicket as Raco forced an error resulting in a good catch by Nate. Despite their openers valuable 27 off 35, Farnworth’s innings never got going, an excellent run out from Isaac to remove their Lancashire batter was followed by a sharp caught behind by Raafe off Raco. Some outstanding figures for all our bowlers, but Isaac’s 3 overs only going for 3 runs (total!) was quite brilliant to watch, especially as he took a blow to his hand early on in what was an excellent prevention of being hit square in the jaw from a powerful blow hit back at him. It could also be called a dropped catch… Another wicket for Raco to bring about his third, 4-0-17-3, proving how valuable his spin is to our bowling attack. A good partnership from two brothers gave their supporters a happy end, but FSC were 65 runs short of their target in what is a great win for Didsbury’s U13s. A complete performance really, as Didsbury’s batting, bowling, and fielding efforts were superb.

The U15s had the benefit of a home draw in their game against Blackrod, but I doubt our team of teenagers saw the 9am start time as anything but beneficial. Crawling out of bed for the early start caused by the encroaching 1st XI NKO game on after us, our team found Didsbury bathed in sun and the ground looking close to its finest thanks to the efforts of Barbs and Andy. Breakfast sandwiches aplenty were gratefully received by all, but particularly by the travelling opposition who had made the early journey down from the far side of Bolton. With Lancashire teammates of several of our players amongst their party, they hoped they could tackle our full strength XI, however there was a clear disparity in the sides when it came to age and size. Whilst they are no signifier of skill or ability, Blackrod would have to start well against us, especially as we had won the toss (Aarron back to his normal self) and would bat first…

…and start well they did. Despite early boundaries for them, we’d quickly lose both openers in the first three overs. Losing Nikash an over later for a second ball duck, and things were going to plan perfectly for Blackrod. It was commented to me numerous times about this ‘nervy start’, and I can appreciate that 15/3 was hardly grounds to be relaxed, but with James and Krishav at the crease we were still in a very good place. The pair sit currently at 7th and 8th for leading run scorers at the club this season with only the likes of Hughes, Sehmi, Anderson, and Green squared above them. The pair agreeing that there was little to worry about and set about scoring the runs that were on offer. A fantastic rebuilding 34 run partnership took us past 50 in the 9th over, as James was dismissed trying to go over the top. With the top four gone, and all four of the U15s in the top 8 gone, it might have looked bleak for most club sides, however it was time for the U14s to shine. With excellent running between the wickets, and less than 10 dot balls faced, combined with a couple of powerful fours and a brilliant six that he flicked off his legs, Krishav’s 37 off 32 provided the base in the middle overs. It was from here, 71-5 in the 12th over that Abu and Ibby took over. Ibby, proving he’s got the power to do so, blasted boundary after boundary. His 33 off just 20 containing 7 fours as he took on Blackrod’s attack. Falling finally going for an eighth, his partner Abu carried on. In a fantastic knock of 42* off just 27, Abu looked completely at ease as he powered on. It was his running between the wicket that was the highlight, with 28 of his runs coming in singles and twos. Underpinning our innings, his performance allowed a quickfire cameo from Zac to get us past 150. Only 16 dots in total as we flew along at just under 11 runs an over in the last 10. 15/3 from 4 to 158/7 from 20 quite simply sums up our strength in depth.

It looked an impossible task for Blackrod, and if it wasn’t at the start, it certainly was once Ash removed both their opening batters. A lack of power and intent took over the Blackrod line up and they fizzled out to just 67/4 off their 20. Probably the shortest summary of an innings I’ll ever write, but there honestly isn’t much to describe! We fielded well, including an excellent runout by Nikash, and a sharp low catch by James. Our bowling was typically skillful, with only a handful of wides, and with Aarron passing the ball around it summed up the eventual gap between the sides; a 91 run win for Didsbury. A win that is a great statement going forward. It was a good demonstration of their talent in front of a busy Sunday morning Didsbury, and visiting Nantwich 1st XI who refused to believe it was an U15 side playing.

For the next round, it’s over to Liverpool for the U13s, who tackle Wavertree tomorrow night. A good set-up who reached this stage last year as well, and although it was a very one-sided affair, it was clearly a bad day at the office for them. It should be a good match for us as we make the journey away. For the U15s, we await Northern vs Newton-Le-Willows to see when our next match is, but we are also drawn away. Along with the success of both our boys sides, our girls U13s and U15s teams are also progressing nicely in their national T20 competitions having won their first rounds which is fantastic to see. Thanks for all your support as always.