Junior Cricket Round-Up - July 2024
The final round of U9s League fixtures took place in July, with just one wash-out meaning that the Reds and Blues got up a real head of steam over the 4 weeks.
The U9s Reds won 5 out of 6 in July and ended with a record of only 2 losses all season. Once again in July, Kiki and Eggsy proved to be a big-hitting, quick single combo duo that most teams couldn’t combat.
The U9s Blues ended their season with close defeats at both Denton West and Stayley, but finish with their highest number of wins overall since records began (2021) so positive signs all-round.
The U11s Softball Team won two and lost one in July. The solitary defeat was a trip to Bury where despite miserly spells from Megan M (1 for 2) and Oliver K (1 for 6), an almighty 9 run outs did for us. Two games vs. Lindow saw strong victories through with Thea A taking a 3fer in both to ensure victory.
The U11s Hardball Team 3 wins and a tie from 7 games in a packed July. 14 runs and 2 wickets from Kiki B took us past Dukinfield.
After defeat in the rain at Thornham, came victory in the rain at High Lane with with 2 wickets apiece for Benedict H and Alec GPS seeing us home.
A tough shift at home vs. Shaw made victory at Woodhouses all the more sweet with William F’s destructive 33 setting the tone and a fine fielding performance seeing us execute 8 runs outs.
July ended on a real nail-biter with a tie played out v High Lane as scores finished level on 67 apiece. Dan and Leo M both took vital wickets to peg back High Lane’s end of innings scoring before Skipper Niamh scored an decisive 18 which turned the course of the game. Dan M and Benedict H as last pair in found themselves needing 12 to win from the last over. That became 5 off the last ball and Dan M stroked it through midwicket for a game tie-ing 4.
Just the one game each for the 13s and 15s in July as we await new fixtures. For the 13s it was defeat at Royton. Jack H took 2 for 26 opening up, ably supported by Niamh B (1 for 8) and Isaac T (1 for 14). Royton got 116, cashing in courtesy of some expensive middle overs. In response, William F opening up for the first time top-scored with 20 off 38 as Mottram reached 48 from our 20 overs.
A similar story for the 15s at Saddleworth, where our hosts scored 125. Lucas F (1 for 14) and Taylor W (1 for 11) the only wicket takers. In response a final score of 90 for Mottram built around 23* for Jack H and 30* for Patrick H.
The U18s also had a month with a solo fixture. 92 from our 20 overs vs DSL was well-led by Jack B’s 40 from 62 and Willliam Davis’ breezy 22 from 29. An early wicket for William saw DSL at 5 for 1, but another wicket didn’t follow until DSL were almost home and dry. 2fer for William but DSL got home with 4 overs to spare.
July saw the Girls Team represent MCC at a Soft Ball tournament and play host to two Saturday Morning games. The trip to Woodford CC for a 6-aside tournament was made by an U11s and U13s team from MCC.
The U11s was pleasing to be able to field as it included 4 players relatively new to the MCC set-up and it was brilliant to see them enjoying the game and the MCC girls set-up growing.
The U13s team finished 2nd in their competition with Lucy GB top-scoring with 32 and Megan M and Kiki B both claiming 3 wickets apiece. For a team with 4 U11s in it to compete so strongly in an U13s competition was credit to each of the players.
Back at MCC, a pleasing performance vs. Saddleworth saw victory courtesy of
20 runs from Niamh and 3fer for Lucy GB. Two weeks later, Timperley visited and were worthy winners. Wickets for Lyra, Niamh, Megan, HGB and Thea not enough to stop Timperley coming out on top.
