Didsbury ... U13 Lancashire County 20-20 Champions... yes!

The anticipation was great as the DCC U13 cup team gathered for an early start in a very sunny Bury for finals day... and what a day! The facilities on offer at Bury CC were appraised with admiration and maybe even a little envy - they were to look after the teams and spectators with tremendous hospitality and enthusiasm.

Facing Ormskirk first, the team fielded and bowled at their brilliant best holding a nervous Ormskirk to just 64 runs. Just 3 wides, 2 byes and 5 maidens tell the story well.

It took just 12.2 overs for Basil (30 retd), Adam (25*) and Dan (8*) to hit the target runs for no loss of wickets. We were in the final - just the four hours to wait with England v Panama on offer in the fantastic Bury CC clubhouse and a chance to watch potential adversary Chorley CC in their semi. Fortnite also seemed to be a popular distraction with certain players even arranging furniture in the clubhouse so they could watch Raheem playing on a 5 inch phone screen........

As suspected, Chorley won the second semi, a strong team with some very big, fast bowling machines sure to give DCC a game... and they did.

DCC won the toss (again) and selected to bowl first (again) passing on the chance to make Chorley field again in the very hot conditions. Our start could not have been better with more superb fielding and very tight bowling, especially from Dan, Rishi, Basil and Raheem strangling their top order. We lost our way in the middle overs, giving away too many but recovered really well with wickets and tighter spells. Chorley closed on 105, a good total to chase.

Adam and Rishi opened and they faced the expected onslaught. They did the job superbly, were patient and eventually the runs came. Rishi was caught for 9, and Adam run out on 25. Basil retired on 30 and Dan was unlucky to be run out for 4. As Raheem and Zac stepped up the crowd were getting very nervous, but they brought it home with an over to spare...Raheem hitting a wonderful 4 to close on 109 and win the title.

Some particular highlights...
Rishi amazing 1 handed catch at slip
Dan's wicket maiden in the final
Luuk's athletics to save 4 runs
Basil's double retirement
Adam's tight keeping

But this was a real team performance - we were just brilliant in the field, sharp, energetic, enthusiastic and supportive. The boys were a real credit to the club... we all should be very proud. Well done Basil, Adam, Dan, Rishi, Rahul, Joe, Noah, Ben, Luuk, Raheem and Zac... and well done to all those parents, family and friends who endured the blazing sunshine for the best part of 12 hours to support the boys and be there to cheer them raising the cup.

Deserved mentions to the other players who helped DCC get to the final with victories at Monton, Glodwick and Egerton: Zohaib, Hana, Seb, Ben Lowe, Harry and George.

A great day.