The U11 fixtures against Outlane’s Omegas have produced two of the closest games seen this season – it was won one, lost one for the young Villagers, which meant this Cup tie had all the hallmarks of a classic. It did not disappoint.

Amidst the low hum of the passing traffic on the M62, the visitors at Outlane were put into bat which brought captain George and Jonty to the crease. True to form, the young Horne batted with the poise and composure that has been his trademark this season and, after surviving an early scare, reached the retired not out target with a run-a-ball- speed. Up against a strong and determined bowling attack, he was ably assisted by Jonty before he was dismissed for an important 13 in the eighth over.

Dom was in at three and started with intent hitting his first two balls to the boundary. Ollie came in once George retired to add seven before Isaac formed a crucial partnership with Dom as they both added runs, and quickly. It took just 12 balls including five boundaries for Dom to reach the retirement target of 25, and it took just 21 for Isaac to do the same in an innings that included two huge sixes.

By the time there wasn’t a Horne, Naylor or Thompson at the crease it was the 18th over and that meant the next batters in could attempt to add runs quickly at the end of the innings. It didn’t quite work thanks to some great fielding and determined death bowling from the hosts but it was the right approach on a night when everyone knew every run would be crucial.

As the sun began to set, it was Lightcliffe’s turn to take to the field. 159 was the target – in most matches you would think that was a score that would be hard to beat. But this was Outlane, a side packed with talent. They were though up against a side equally full of skill and passion.

Ollie and Max opened the bowling keeping it tight against quality batters. In the fourth over, the first wicket fell with the battle of the Woods (Lightcliffe’s Ollie v Outlane’s Henry) going the way of the Villagers. George struck twice in two overs in a spell of bowling (2-9 from 3) which was every bit as good as his work with the bat. But there was no stopping Outlane – they kept adding runs, reaching the boundary and, despite a calm intensity to the Lightcliffe fielding (indicative of this was a zero in the overthrows column), a couple of chances to take catches were missed. The pressure was building. And building.

Special mention should go to our two talented wicketkeepers, Henry and Isaac, who did their job brilliantly, conceding just 6 byes between them. Comparing this to the 34 byes conceded by Outlane shows how crucial their contribution was.

So, in the gloom and chill of a summer’s evening when blankets had needed to be fetched from car boots, it came down to the last over. Outlane needed 11 to win. Lightcliffe needed to keep it to less than 10 to win.

Spin can often go one of two ways in a cricket match – it can be scored off but it can also make an impact. So when after a discussion between coach Neil and captain George about who should bowl the last, it’s perhaps no surprise that the ball was thrown to dependable Dom. With nerves of steel for an 11-year old which his father can only dream of, he stepped up to close the game. First ball, one run. Second ball, wicket and mobbed by the team. Third and fourth balls went for one each, but then the fifth went through the field for four.

After 239 balls of a 240 ball game, it came down to the last ball of the last over. It was a dot. The job was done. At 155/4, a 3-run win was secured. The celebrations of Lightcliffe’s young cricketers were as intense as the despondency of Outlane’s juniors. You felt for them, if ever there was a match which deserved to be a final rather than a first round tie it was this. But that’s the luck of a Cup draw.

Outlane have most definitely provided the toughest of tests for the U11s this season – but these close games where a win is ground out through skill, determination and nerve are the ones you remember. And George, Jonty, Dom, Isaac, Ollie, Henry, Max, Jack, Ben, Henry and Jacob will most definitely remember last night. As will the coaches, parents and supporters nervously pacing the boundary rope. A great win, onto the next round!

The U11 Development team also started their Collinson Cup campaign. Unlike the hardball team, this competition isn’t a straight knock-out but rather done in groups with three games across three weeks. And Lightcliffe’s cricketers got off to the best possible start at home against Mytholmroyd.

Sent into bat first, the hosts quickly added important runs and crucially in the format (which remains pairs for this side) they only lost two wickets in their 16 overs. Raff top scored with 17 but Ethan, Jack, Hugo and Dougie all reached double figures and the 105 runs set the target at a net 295.

In reply, the visitors never really looked like getting close with a constant fall of wickets – one each for Leo, Ethan, Hugo, Joey and Raff, and some tight bowling from Ellie and Dougie –with only 76 runs added. It meant the net score for Mytholmroyd was 241 – a win by 54 runs and the two points for the group secured.

Two more games to come – Sowerby Bridge Church Institute and Southowram, as the Cup stage of the season rolls on.

Thanks to everyone at both games for their support, and to our coaches and scorers who we couldn’t run the matches without.