U11 Tigers go Top of the Table!!

View from the Boundary

Sunday 18th July 2021 – Didsbury U11 Tigers beat Didsbury U11 Lions by 4 Wickets.

Clash of the Titans!!

What a glorious Sunday morning for a winner take all clash of the Titans. Bright, bright sunshine. Packed seating. Live stream on the internet. Stunning breakfast (thanks Zeffi). Everything was set fair for the game of the year.

The Lions captain Freddie Mulcock won the toss and elected to Bat. Opening with Milan and Ted. The Tigers captain, Adam, opted for Charlie and Aaron to open the bowling. Calum behind the stumps for the first time ever.

6 runs from the first with a nice 4 from Ted 3 runs, 4 runs and 6 took us to the start of the 5th over at 19/0. Raees was thrown the ball and as has happened of late he took some wickets. First to go was Milan (7 off 12) caught by Kush (19/1). 4 balls later James Ryan was bowled for 0 off 2 (22/2). Solomon bowled the 6th over and got Ted (6 off 17) out with the last ball of it (24/3). Raees then took the wicket of Charlie Swindell (3 off 9) in the 7th over caught again by Kush (26/4). Isaac and Solomon then bowled 2 neat overs going for 12 before Harry Buck bowled a beautiful maiden over (38/4). James Gutfreund (in his first Tigers game) then went for 5 runs in the 11th over. Ibrahim (more from him later) bowled Rory out in the 12th (12 off 19) (44/5). Kush, Elliot and Kush went for 8 runs through overs 13,14 & 15 before Captain Adam bowled a maiden in over 16. Over 17 saw Harry Buck take 2 wickets in 2 balls, first to go was Adie Manesh run out by James (10 off 32). Then Freddie was clean bowled for 2 off 10 balls (55/7). Calum, Adam and Calum bowled 18, 19 & 20 going for 21 runs to an aggressive pair in Ashden and Zac both not out for 8 off 14 and 9 off 8 respectively.

The lions finished on 77/7 off their 20 overs, credit to some of the boys for making a good start (Rory and Adie both reaching double figures) but none managed to reach retirement.

Really tight bowling was the key for the Tigers with Harry Buck the highlight. 1 maiden over from him and the 2 wickets in 2 balls (albeit 1 a run out). Also mention to Raees for 3 wickets and 4 runs off his 2 overs. Half time team talk was interrupted by James Coventry wishing the Tigers boys good luck whilst he had to miss the game isolating at home.

As the lions had done the Tigers mixed up their batting order to give some of the less experienced players the opportunity to shine. Therefore, Ibrahim and Solomon opened the batting.

Now this is where I have an issue. Whoever was scoring the match seems to have got confused as it doesn’t seem to be right but I will persevere using Play cricket and my own memory. Apologies to any kids that don’t get the correct credit though.

Archie Buck bowled the first over going for 2 runs. Then the Lions struck early through Rory in the second over bowling Solomon (2 off 7) (4/1). Ted with the 3rd over James with the 4th. The second ball of which saw the end of Harry Buck Stumped by Freddie (3 off 10) (9/2). Kush came in then in no mood to mess around and scored his first 4 only 4 balls later with 2 more 4’s off Adie in the 5th. Evan and Nikesh then bowled 2 tight overs taking the score to 30/2 off 7 overs. Zac went for 12 in the 8th which also saw Kush retire after another 2 4s (25 off 13). Milan bowled the 9th with Calum now in and the plucky Ibrahim still sticking around! Ashden then had Calum caught behind by Freddie 2(7) in the 10th. Apparently, Cal’s innings lasted 43 minutes according to play cricket – One of a few issues but hey ho we carry on!!

Charlie Swindell bowled a maiden in the 11th before James went for 7 in the 12th. Ibrahim then scored 7 runs off Freddie in the 13th before loosing his 5th partner of the day in the 14th. Isaac being bowled by Archie for 5 off 6 (60/4). Zac bowled a tight 15th before the 16th by Rory. Aaron hit the 4th ball for 4 and the 5th for a 6 before Rory came back and bowled him well with the 6th ball of the over. A lesson for all bowlers to not let runs get to you and to persist with the good line and length which will get rewards! Aaron was out for 13 off 12 with the score on 75/5. Still going strong was Ibrahim who’d lasted a full 16 overs to this point!! However, the end was nigh in the 17th when Evan finally had him bowled for 16 off 48 balls. Great performance by Ibrahim who I think faced all 12 Lions Bowlers in the end!

Play Cricket strikes again when it suggest Adam came out to bat however I know this to be wrong as with the score on 75/6 and only 3 runs needed for the win it was definitely Charlie who literally ran out to the middle to face Evan’s remaining 2 balls. He then finished the match off after a single from Elliot in the 18th with a 2. Tigers reaching 78/6 off 18.2 overs and wining by 4 Wickets.

Credit to all the boys that played on both sides. For the most part this wasn’t a day for the usual suspects it really was a day for the lesser lights (No offence meant here) on both sides to shine.

Special mentions on the Lions are numerous for different reasons James, Evan, Adie, Ashden and Charlie Swindell all good bowling or batting figures but Rory stands out to me 2 wickets bowling and a solid 12 off 19 1 4 when batting.

For the Tigers it’s Kush with a rapid 25 off 13, Aaron 13 off 12, Raees 3 wickets, James on debut and Calum with the gloves for the first time ever. But my Man of the match for taking 1 wicket for 2 runs and an outstanding 16 runs off 48 ball 1 4, 70 minute stand was Ibrahim. Great performance from a young Tiger in a big game – Well done.

Credit to all the boys that played in what was a good game between 2 very evenly matched teams. Good luck to the Lions against a tough Macclesfield outfit and let’s bring on Lindow Gold for the Tigers!!

Matt Tucker