Match Report by Tom Fletcher at Hopton Mills (Editor's note - and given the comments about Mrs Naylor's outfits, I would like to reinforce this point)

The ever-picturesque Hopton Mills hosted the Villagers in the preliminary round of the David Bairstow Cup.

And it was the duo from under 15s that were back in control with George D in the middle umpiring and Theo F scoring on the iPad. Which got me thinking; we probably don't need coach Alex at this point. Or me.

And it was control that was eminent in the opening exchanges of Lightcliffe's batting attack after winning the toss.

Brodie was caught after 9 balls but helped set the tone for what would be a slog fest on the famous sloping pitch.

George Horne as crafty as ever carving out a cool retirement after 35 balls. Strongly accompanied by Yusuf who cracked 4 after 4 hitting 22 runs.

Ollie Rose was again unlucky on the run out but did what Ollie does best and bashed that boundary whilst he could. Daniel Dent popped a few off a few until Bosh and Nico chewed the wicket up adding 21 and 24 runs respectively to leave Lighcliffe sitting pretty with 154 runs after the innings.

The break in play saw Mrs Naylor in whole array of clothing and accessories; sunglasses, brollie, sun hat, normal glasses, coat on AND off - such was the climate crunching weather!

And it was fortuitous for the rain to hold out just enough for Lightcliffe to come out to bowl with the bit between their teeth. I was lucky enough to sink two Becks 'blue' zero beers whilst Theo tapped away with his new mate Phil (the other scorer). However, I'm not a big zero beer drinking and I'll be honest I got very tired in the second innings, and my memory of the bowling is hazy.

Highlights from what I can remember of our second innings were constantly trying to find the only ball they seemed to have.

As for cricket:

Charlie Deighton jumping around in the field like a gazelle! And what felt like a complete team effort to dismantle their batters;

Dizzying Dom spun the stumps flying! Brisk Bosh bowling them a duck! Charlie delivering line and length perfectly for their second wicket. Yusuf Akram thronking one in to take the varnish off the bails!

And finally some fine catches from Ollie Wood (x2), Charlie and Daniel Dent, capping a fine win to send the Villagers into the next round.

Two wins in two days for the Under 13s and a smile as big as the rainbow above his head for coach Tait.