Didsbury CC u13 Buffalos v Alderley Edge CC u13 Hedgehogs

Didsbury's U13s Buffalos launched the season with a home fixture against the Alderley Edge U13 Hedgehogs and, in a tight finish in failing light, it was the Hedgehogs who punctured the Buffalos dreams of a winning start with just 4 balls to spare.

Captained by James Bidwell, Didsbury elected to bat first. Conditions were dry but overcast as Didsbury's opening pair strode out to open the season.

The Hedgehogs immediately proved to be prickly opposition with a fine spell of bowling that saw James bowled by a good fast straight one and Finn Lowe the unfortunate victim of running mix up. Sean Garcha was caught close to the boundary going for a six and at 5-3 Didsbury looked to be in serious trouble. However, in response to the Hedgehogs' spikey start, the Didsbury middle order showed some real spine, featuring Isaac Cooper, Noah Brown, Rehan Amin and Aahil Hussain, which got the Buffalos back on an even keel. Isaac scored an impressive 8 before being bowled, Noah a feisty knock of 9 before also succumbing to a straight one, Rehan hit a lusty 4 before also being bowled and Aahil was a rock at the crease scoring a team best of 11 before being unluckily run out. His partnership with Harry (8 n/o), which featured excellent running between the wickets and vociferous vocal support from Bulls all-rounder Dan Ward, added a valuable 12 to the total at the end of the innings, Ben coming in at the death for a 0 n/o. Alderley's loose bowling and fielding meant them conceding 35 extras in clear conditions.

DCC 77-6 (20-0).

Defending a total of 77, it was vital that the Buffalos kept it tight and the bowling, wicket-keeping and fielding display that the Buffalos put on was nothing short of stupendous.

In ever failing light, Finn pulled of a series of brilliant stops behind the stumps, and Adam, Michael and Ben in particular were like panthers in the field. James opened the bowling with a blistering spell which somehow did not yield a wicket and he was ably assisted by Rehan, who duly bowled Alderley's no 2.

Before that, Sean had superbly pinned Alderley's dangerman opener and then bowled a beautie to remove no 3. Isaac then came on, after having taken a painful knock to the knee whilst fielding, and a pearler from him saw the bails light up the evening. Aahil then came on and duly got a super first wicket to see off the Hedgehogs' no 5.

As the light faded and a notable chill set in, the Hedgehogs seemed to go into hibernation and a match which had seemed beyond the stampeding Buffalos suddenly seemed within reach. A solid over from Harry and then a brilliant wicket maiden penultimate over from a twirling James saw Alderley still scratching round for the run that would get them home, but, eventually, to cheers of relief from the Alderley team, the final run was eeked out with just 4 balls remaining.

A measure of the excellence of Didsbury's fielding performance was an extras total of just 25 in 20 overs, half of which were played in conditions which would have found a nocturnal animal squinting (and with gloves on).

AECC 81-6 (19.2)

All in all, a tight team performance, a creditable start, and the Buffalos can look forward to a very enjoyable and successful season.