U11 Didsbury v Macclesfield cup game

Cup games are always an exciting fixture – you win you are in… you lose you are out… and this makes for tense, exciting games – and this match was no exception – going down to the wire, but not in Didsbury’s favour.
Didsbury won the toss and put the home team into bat first – hoping to have an achievable total to chase.  As the chief match reporter made their way to the game on the train – text came through from the deputy said the boys were putting in a great opening performance.    Bowling had certainly stepped up from last week and George took an early wicket bowling a full length delivery on the final ball of the second over straight onto the stumps.  5 for 1 a good start. Amaan also had a strong performance – just 8 runs from his 2 overs.    As Jan stepped up to bowl the 5th over some cool and calm fielding from George again saw him throw the ball into Adam for him to take off the bails for the second wicket. 5 for 2 – this was looking promising.  Jan’s bowling was strong – a maiden over and just 4 runs from his 12 balls – good work Jan.   
The home team had a couple of strong batsman at number 4 and 5 both retiring and pushing the score on with boundaries – which were not difficult on the very small field.  
The next wicket fell to Fin, straight onto the stumps – our bowling certainly was becoming a highlight of the game.  Next up Sam, a tricky length delivery to a greedy batsman ensured a clean catch for Will “sure hands” Wood.  The optimism was high, as the chief reporter arrived, to take over.    
Up next Joe, taking wicket number 7 tempting the batsman to edge it into Adam’s waiting gloves.  Some excellent fielding from Will, a brave stop from Joe and a tight second over from Oisin – giving away just 1 run, and the home team were getting close to being all out.  Will then took the ball, the batsman hit high and Sam calmly and coolly took the catch, this was soon followed by a brilliant catch from Jan from Seb’s first over… the fist-pump from the fielder showed how satisfying this penultimate wicket was.  The last wicket fell to Will – who had had had a great first over – stepping up to start his second, he once again tempted  the batsman to hit behind – and Adam was waiting with the gloves – a second catch for Adam and a second wicket for Will.
A superb bowling performance and encouragingly less than 20 extras!
Macclesfield all out for 94 – an achievable target for this Didsbury team.
As the sky started to bruise and spectators reached for jackets, George and Amaan stepped up to open the batting.  After some recent great batting performances the team were looking to  George to deliver some early runs, there was then a slight air of panic after just a couple of deliveries the ball rolled towards the stumps… hitting them.. but the bails refused to drop – George has certainly ridden his luck this season!  He and Amaan did well, Amaan putting on 7 early runs before being bowled.  Aiden then came in to partner George – who delivered some great shots, which, had the home teams boundary fielding not been so strong, would have given him a certain retirement.  But with just 2 boundaries and 15 runs he was run out – Didsbury were now 44 for 2 – it was looking good.  
Adam came in and he and Aiden raised the heart rate of the crowd.  Crazy or brave – whatever you call it they tried to run everything and again ran a cheeky 3 to keep adding to the score.  But the
home team – had some excellent bowlers who started to peg the runs back.  More and more dot balls and frustration was setting in. 
It was inevitable that this would get the better of Adam – who went for the big hit and was caught for just 8 runs.  Will then came in, and unfortunatly was only set to face 2 balls, when a run out saw Didsbury’s 4th wicket fall.  The home team were now looking in command – the run rate had fallen – the bowling was strong and we were now 57 for 4.
It was almost poetic as the dark clouds moved in, and the rain started – Didsbury were certainly going to have to fight through the bad light to get something out of the game – and they certainly did try.  
Aiden’s long stint at the crease though was soon to be over, as he was caught brilliantly – 14 runs  to his name. We needed 31 from 6 overs – it was possible.
Fin came in and again was soon bowled and Joe was up.  The team were hoping for a repeat of his last cup performance, where he hit 22 and won us the right to play this game, but it was not to be – the home teams bowling was tight and they held Joe until he walked after a catch and run out in confusing no-ball circumstances.  
Seb and Sam were now at the crease – and the tension was building – we needed 17 from 12 balls.  The team were counting down the balls and hoping to count up the runs – the visiting crowd were pacing… the brollies over the scorers were needed!
Of course the boys chased the runs – and this led to Seb being run out for just 3 runs. .. Jan came in hoping to deliver the victory – 10 runs from the last over – it was doable… but it was not to be.  The bowling was too good. .. And Didsbury ended on 86.  
The boys put in  great performance against a strong bowling attack, but from the 86 runs scored, 34 were extras so 52 off the bat was just not enough. 
… so on to Sunday were the last game of the season against the Alderly Edge All Stars beckons!

Emma Slater

Coaches Note
The boys bowled and fielded well, but the Achilles heel this year has been run scoring. All of the players are stronger batsman and have improved their techniques over the season but on many occasions this year have not been able to find ways to chase down achievable totals. Keeping your head is an important part of any sport, so hopefully these experiences with help the boys learn lessons about making the right decisions about running and shotmaking.