Match Report by Stephen Naylor at Till Carr Lane (seemingly where I live)

One morning I’ll start my day not writing a cricket match report. Today, and for the fifth day in a row, this is not that day.

Given that, a very quick run through of two fixtures for the U13s at the end of a busy week of cricket (no change there, I can hear all our parents saying).

Let’s start at Copley where a strong home side scored a convincing win. Lightcliffe won the toss and chose to bat first bringing George and Seth to the crease. George Horne completed a virtually run a ball retired not out score of 25. Ollie Wood took a bit longer, but also retired not out. But other young Villagers couldn’t get into double figures and that meant just 85 had been put on the scoreboard in the 20 overs.

A strong fielding performance and wickets would undoubtedly be needed to slow the hosts flow. But there was no stopping the flow, and when I report Copley’s openers both retired not out, it gives an indication that it wasn’t going to be the visitors' night. In fact, it was all done in the 13th over with their 10 wicket win secured.

A better night at Till Carr Lane (an unfamiliar place for the U13s this season) where after two Yorkshire T20 games earlier in the day had seen two Yorkshire U15 wins, our own young cricketers looked to make it three home wins from three. Hopton Mills went into bat first and their two classy openers both ultimately retired not out – but it took them far longer than it could have done thanks to some tight bowling at the top from Brodie Tait, Charlie Deighton, Dom Naylor and Freddie Landin. Some great fielding on show too – singles stopped, boundaries cut off, and commitment from each of the 11.

81 had been added before the first wicket fell – but when a great ball from Jacob Wild ended up heading Dom’s way, there was only one outcome. Ball caught, batter dismissed, Dom’s hand still stinging this morning. Wickets followed for Ollie Rose, Noah Boshell and Ollie Webb as the middle order struggled to put partnerships together, and that meant 130/4 was the total posted.

Much discussion on the boundary about the par score. Some felt about par, some felt it was slightly above, others didn’t understand what others were talking about. But it was definitely gettable with some good partnerships and confident batting needed along with a strong start. And that’s what we got.

Brodie and Dom strode out to open – and they worked really well together at the top of the order for the first time, putting together a partnership of 48. Our classy keeper Nico Fletcher was next in and added an unbeaten 26, the ever-elegant Ollie Rose made 25 and always reliable Noah Boshell made 3 from the 5 he faced as the total was reached (with four wides, which perhaps summed up a challenging night for the visitors in the field). It had taken just 16 overs and 3 balls for Lightcliffe to secure the win with only five batters needed.

It was a very strong performance, and not least from our three U10s - Jacob Wild, Harry Wolfenden and George Standeven who had stepped up brilliantly. Also stepping up brilliantly, as ever, the umpire-scorer duo of U15s George Deighton and Theo Fletcher. As role models for our U13s (and younger) cricketers go, I really don’t think you could find two finer young men.

Whether at Copley or at home, well done to all our cricketers – two different results but determination and passion from every player, and that’s all we ever ask.