Didsbury Buffaloes v Brooklands u13s

After a day of persistent grey drizzle, the clouds suddenly parted mid-afternoon and the sun shone down on this little corner of the globe. Into the sun-drenched arena strode eleven u13 gladiators from Didsbury CC and Brooklands CC respectively. The men from Sale batted first and got off to a solid start, going along nicely at 4 an over until a Jonty Rhodes-esq single wicket throw down by Harry saw off the Brooklands opener. James then quickly did for the visitors' no 3 with a plumb LBW, followed immediately by another of the same. His hat-trick ball narrowly missed the stumps. Suddenly 11-0 had become 17-3. Sean and Bilal came on first change just as Brooklands decided to start hitting out. Isaac bowled a solid opening over and an impressive maiden over from Zain was crowned with a super maiden wicket. Chris then kicked his season off with a first ball caught & bowled and followed up with a straight ball middle stump wicket. Zain got a richly deserved second wicket lbw, followed up by an important maiden from Basil. Finn and Joab were looking sharp in the field. Zain bowled another straight beauty for his third and then wrapped up the innings with a great away swinger which Ben caught beautifully behind the stumps to reduce Brooklands to a total of 102-9 from 18.4 overs. Ben's excellent catch turned out to be critical to Didsbury winning 2 points.

The hosts got off to a quick start with a cultured 19 from Basil before he was bowled. Two quick wickets followed from good straight balls, with Finn's dismissal particularly unlucky, the ball trickling onto the stumps and the lightest of breezes dislodging the bails. The old chewing gum trick would have seen him safe. Sean was batting in complete control and was joined at the crease by Chris, who swashbuckled his way to a quickfire 14 before being skilfully caught and bowled. Isaac was unluckily bowled as he was getting in and that brought Bilal to the wicket to join Sean in a critical middle order partnership until Sean bowed out after a superb unbeaten 30 containing 3 fours and a number of cleverly placed singles. Harry joined Bilal, before the latter was brilliantly caught for an excellent 15. In failing light, Ben came in and was unfortunate to be undone by a very good straight delivery which lit up the bails in the gloom, followed by Zain in similar fashion. With 2 balls remaining and 1 run required for victory, Harry called a quick single but it was not to be and Brooklands' run out saw the match end in an incredible draw.

It was a thrilling climax to an excellent match, in which everyone played his part - every single run scored and saved ended up being decisive to the ultimate outcome. This was a match which represented the essence of why we all play and love sport.

SGM