When two almost sexagenarians are prevented from playing a cup semi-final due to back injuries, most clubs would probably go like for like with replacements . However, this is not the way at LCC in 2023!!

On Saturday morning, veteran swing bowler Mark Whiley realised he would be unable to play the following day and was replaced by 12 year old Lucas Arnot. Lucas is in school year 7 and can only play senior cricket as the ECB have granted county status to the four Yorkshire regions which means Under 12s can play senior cricket.
At noon on matchday, LCC's exotically titled Sporting Director Bruce Lunn attempted to pick his cricket bag up as he was leaving home - sadly, this proved to be beyond his bodies capabilities and Bruce was rendered immobile. Lunn, who turns 60 in the near future, needed a replacement who could be at the ground pronto so turned to 13 year old Monty Ramsden. Monty can see the cricket ground from his bedroom window, some 200 yards across the green pastures of Lightcliffe. This was a good plan, except Monty was at Headingley watching former Lightcliffe player Alex Lees smash Yorkshire's bowling all over North Leeds. Alex made 90 off just 53 balls with six 4s and four 6s as Durham closed on 217 for 3 and secured a comfortable 28 run win against his former employers Yorkshire, who are enduring a shocking start to the summer.

Forty minutes later, Monty arrived at LCC to admire, along with the healthy crowd, Lucas opening the batting with Isaac Morley, who had turned 14 on Saturday. The young openers got Lightcliffe off to a great start, sharing an opening partnership of 54 before Lucas was caught at slip for 29. Isaac soon followed, bowled around his legs for 27 and Monty's efforts were infuriatingly curtailed lbw for 14 by the only person in the ground who didn't realise he had hit the ball, but the only one who ultimately matters.
However, the youngsters had contributed 70 between them to give Lightcliffe a great start but impetus was required to set a defendable total. It came with a run a ball partnership of 52 between skipper Gary Lewsley, who made 24 on his belated seasonal bow, whilst Mick Wood added 21. Lightcliffe closed on 166 for 9 off their allotted 40 overs and as Mick tucked into another fine tennis pavilion tea (thanks once again to Lou Barrowcliffe and Liz Leach) he pondered whether we had enough on the board - "20 short," he thought, although the well used deck 4 had shown signs of being a little two paced with variable bounce.

The resumption of play was comically delayed by the day's scorer, 14 year old Imad Haidry, who is close to being available for selection following a broken leg. Imad had returned to his family home, which overlooks LCC, for some of Mum Asma's culinary delights. After indulging perhaps a little too much, Imad was forced to test his rehabilitation and sprint across to the scoreboard, supported by the whole of the Lightcliffe team who sarcastically applauded him on his way....................

Having seen and experienced how difficult it was to get spin bowlers away, skipper Lewsley chose to deploy 15 year old left arm finger spinner Leo Flanagan up the hill whilst 18 year old fast bowler Conor Butterworth steamed in down the slope. The plan started well, thanks to a very sharp catch by veteran wicket keeper Kev Booth, who was to have a good afternoon behind the timbers. Butterworth claimed the first wicket with only the third ball of the innings, a fast delivery with plenty of carry. Not to be outdone, Kev's son Jack took a fine catch back pedalling at cover to give Flanagan his first victim. Leo was soon roaring like a lion when dangerman Bhuskute was adjudged to be lbw first ball, leaving Leo on a hat-trick.
Then, in the next over and with Copley rocking on 1 for 3, Conor bowled with 4 slips and David Heath in close on the off side - the featured picture depicting the scene. The attacking field paid dividends as Copley skipper Nigel Codling was excellently caught by Jack Booth at 2nd slip - 6 for 4 the score at the time and the Lightcliffe lads were rightly delighted!!
Kev then displayed more excellent glovework with a very sharp stumping for Leo's third victim which soon became four. As a left arm finger spinner Leo exhibits great control for one so young, landing the ball consistently in areas difficult for the batsmen to deal with. His figures of 4 for 24 accurately reflect this.
Copley also had a talented young batsman on display, 17 year old left handed opener Oliver Brooks who it appeared was attempting to win the semi-final single-handedly for the visitors. Brooks had reached 48 when he was deceived by a slow Lewsley special to be out lbw. Wood then removed Hussain and Butterworth bowled Onteru to leave Copley 9 down.
It was perhaps fitting though, on a weekend where so many talented young cricketers shone for Lightcliffe, that the youngest of them all Lucas Arnot took the last wicket, caught by his cricketing mentor Lewsley as Lightcliffe won by 61 runs. Lucas and Gary were able to celebrate later on Sunday evening when Lucas was selected in the Yorkshire Under 12s squad for the county season ahead.

Staying with selection but returning to where this report started, no-one at LCC will envy the task facing Bruce Lunn in choosing the 11 who will contest the Halifax Sunday League Cup final on 2nd July if all are available. Illingworth CC will be the opponents at Sowerby Bridge CC when Lightcliffe will aim to win the Rod Warhurst trophy for the 3rd year in a row. If they perform as they did today, Illingworth will have to play well to deny Lightcliffe a hat trick of cup wins.