Mytholmroyd were the opponents on a drizzly Sunday morning at Till Carr Lane and a tough test was expected as the Upper Valley side finished second in their U9 Sunday league.

But, even good sides have off days and they had one they’ll want to quickly forget.

It started with losing the toss with Lightcliffe captain Luke deciding to put them into bat. It proved to be the right call as the bowling attack quite simply decimated the opposition.

The highlight, an incredible hat trick for Bertie who has been improving so much all season and his achievement, taking three wickets in three balls, was the culmination of a lot of hard work. He has George S to thank for a brilliant catch behind the stumps to complete the moment he’ll never forget.

So, Bertie accounted for three wickets. But there were 11 more during the 16 overs - two each for Evie, Leo and Jack, one each for Luke, Harry and George.

In U9s, the score starts at 200. Mytholmroyd finished their 16 innings on net 168. So, going into the Lightcliffe innings, there was confidence but also a job to do.

And job was indeed done. Big hitting Harry and George started strongly, Bertie and Evie kept the runs coming, Dougie played a very assured innings alongside Leo and final pair Luke and Jack finished off the job.

109 runs scored. And, yes, 7 wickets fell - but several of those were from ‘interesting’ decisions on running which perhaps were only made as the result was not in doubt.

Worth a mention - a 6 from George, not in a single hit but run in singles thanks to a fielding display which was as questionable as some of those decisions on when to run.

Also worth a mention - Mytholmroyd’s players. They had ‘one of those days’ (haven’t we all) but dealing with that when you’re 9 and under is hard. They kept going, they were brave, they were a credit to their club, the cup and our sport.

Thanks to the two Gaz’s for running the game, Rob for crowd control, Katie and Kirsty for running the kitchen and 5for star turned hoovering champ Freddie for showing he can’t just tackle pesky batters but pesky dust too.

Onto the quarter finals!