Didsbury U11 v Alderley Edge U11 9th July 2017

As the Chelford church bells chimed out their Sunday morning welcome, a rather bleary eyed Didsbury team arrived at the away ground ready for an uncivilised 9.30am start.  The match had been much anticipated by the team, not for the potential cricket, but for a chance to play against the much talked about “celebrity” team.
The boys knew this match was going to be a tough one and on winning the toss (Captain Adam having not lost one this season!) Didsbury put the home team into bat – a good decision if we were going to make a game of it.  
As George and Amaan opened up the bowling the size of the challenge quickly became very clear – bowling to Flintoff and Vaughan , the batsman hit every ball, running everything and delivering boundaries with ease.  But the Didsbury boys weren’t going to down without a fight and some… marvellous sledging from Joe and Adam entertained the crowd as much as the fine batting display.
Retirements were plenty for this team, the first 4 batmen all hitting 25 and over, with strike rates well into the hundreds.  – this was going to be a big score to chase.  
The bowling and fielding display from Didsbury would in any other match delivered a sure victory – with some great bowling from Ayann, Jan, Suliman and George.  There was a rumour some of the boys had had a late night, but this didn’t seem to affect Luuk’s bowling, as he banished the memory of his last game and delivered a tight couple of overs – limited to just 15 runs – a great result in this game.  Joe had the best stint with the ball – his 2 overs giving them just 8 runs..  good work Joe.  Something to celebrate!
More celebrations were to come, but not until the 18th Over… Will took the ball and delivered a tempting ball and the batsman took the bait scooping it towards Jan – who took a heroic and painful catch.  Good work Jan, our first wicket.
As the score was creeping up, the scorer was finding it difficult to concentrate and  keep track. (Whether this was the early start, the fast scoring or the constant chatter from Robbie Savage about his home in Barbados and latest super car purchases is unclear!) It was fast and the visitors now had a new target – “keep it under 200” was the shout … and they worked hard to do that.  Boundary saves stepped up and quick and calm fielding limited the lower order batsmen and the home team closed on 197 for 1.
As the sun came out and the celebrity crowd applied some factor 50 the boys were ready and up for the run chase.  As it was the last game of the season they decided to mix up the batting order, giving those who had not had much time at the crease a chance.  They wanted to bat all 20 overs and not allow the home team to bowl them all out.
Our openers, Luuk and Aiden stepping up to face some very strong bowling.  Aiden took the first ball and hit it for 4 (losing the ball in the process) what a start… the run rate of 9.9 an over was on track – more celebrations.  But sadly they were short lived and facing his second ball he was caught – a great catch from the home team - Joe’s turn at the crease.
With just 14 on the board Luuk was bowled and George came, but before this new partnership had time to settle, Joe was bowled and Adam came in.  George has played some great knocks this season,
but today was not to be one of them as a wide delivery from Vaughan tempting him into one of his favourite back foot cuts, which this time was too close to the fielder and was caught. Will came in to join Adam and he started with 2 splendid boundaries – cheers all round.  But as so often this season for Will it was short and sweet.  Facing the third ball he hit it straight back to the bowler – but great stats Will 8 off 3 balls. Suliman came in to join Adam and the 2 settled into what was looking like it was to be a good partnership.   Adam was hoping for a performance worthy of note on his 11th birthday, and he didn’t do too badly hitting a glorious boundary straight over the bowler taking him to 10.  But that’s where it would end as he was tempted into his trademark “Slater Swing and Miss” and he was out.  
Amaan stepped up at number 8 – the boys were now on 43 and needed some good running and together Suliman & Amaan did not disappoint.  They pushed hard for runs and started to put a decent total on the board, before Suliman was run out for 13 runs – our top scorer of the game.  Ayann came in to see out the last few balls with Amaan who ended the innings on 10 not out.
More celebrations as the team met their goal – OK so we might have ended 127 runs behind the opposition, but apparently we don’t call this is a loss, it’s a losing draw as we weren’t all out – another celebration.
This was a great game to watch – some splendid cricket from both teams in different ways and an unwavering camaraderie from the Didsbury team.  A point of note is the extras – they have been good scorers this season!  In this game there were only 8 extra between the 2 teams (DCC 28 AECC 20) 
This has been a great fun season with a committed and solid team, thanks for reading the match reports I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.  On to U13’s next season boys!
Emma Slater

Coaches Note
Well done boys - fighting to the end and smiling with it. Keep those qualities and add to it a bit more freedom with the bat - the opposition on Sunday batted really well, moving their feet to the ball and playing through the shot. We can learn from them.
Thank you to Emma for writing the most wonderful reports in the league and for not seeing it as a chore. And to Anthony for being the best scorer in the league featuring the best sound effects and off stage whispers. Thanks to Baz for being the best team manager in the league and with the best 20 yard stare, even behind the shades. And a personal thanks to Paul, particularly stepping in on training nights and for bringing insight to the squad. Also our group of parents - they boys love seeing you all at their games and we all appreciate your support.
Finally, thank you boys for being a great team to work with - definitely the most positive in the league. Keep practising and come back stronger next year.