As the U9s were taking on Stainland in the Halifax League on the Grassroots Sports Funding Nursery Ground, it was our slightly older juniors who took to the main pitch for the fixture with Adwalton.

Captain Dom lost the toss and the hosts were put into the field – it was to be the only thing they would lose on the day.

It didn’t take long for the wickets to start falling – in the third over, Ben’s first ball was a wicket thanks to a great grab from Dom whose hands are as safe as you’ll find. It was his turn to come into bowl next and first ball, first wicket as the off-spin once again bamboozled the facing batter. It didn’t take long for Ben to then return the favour of the over before, third ball of the over chipped up and into Ben’s hands. A double wicket maiden for Dom whose decision to learn the art of the spin over the winter is proving to be, in what is a clear understatement, shrewd.

Every bowler was tight – they just struggled to score whoever they faced… Jack C 0-5, Harry 1-7, Raf 0-6, Jacob 0-3, Hugo 0-7, George 0-2. Ben finished 1-5, Dom finished 2-2, and then there was Jack J. Last ball of the 18th over, wicket. And then the last over of the game, and the last three balls. Wicket (thanks to a brilliant catch from Jack C). Wicket. Wicket.

A hat-trick that he should rightly remember for some time, and it meant Adwalton had lost 9 wickets and only scored 68 – a net score of32. It’s never over until both teams have batted, of course. But it felt like a more than gettable target. And so it proved.

Isaac and Dom were first out after the break, and they worked together well with some good shot-making and running up against Adwalton’s best bowlers. So much so in fact that the score had passed the visitors score by the end of the first four and the change of pairs. Jack J and Jacob batted well together, Harry and George equally so, as did Raf and Hugo. The match was done as a contest by the time Jack C and Ben walked to the crease with four overs to go – and they played with a freedom that showed them both at their best. 22 for Jack C, 16 for Ben with seven boundaries in their 24 balls.

139 runs had been made for the loss of just 3 wickets – a net score of 127 and a 95-run win. Comprehensive on the scoreboard, but the complete performance with the bat, ball and in the field deserves credit.

Huge thanks to James for running the game, Gaz for scoring, Rachel and Lucy for running the tearoom and all the parents, grandparents, family and friends for their support.