A week ago, the U9s arrived at Queensbury in the pouring rain and with fog that meant you couldn’t see one end of the pitch from the other.

Seven days on, summer had returned and it was beautiful blue sky that welcomed us to Great Horton Park Chapel’s lovely ground.

Captain Ellie won the toss and chose to field, which brought their opening pair to the crease with George Standeven opening the bowling.

It was a strong, miserly spell for the young villagers with just nine runs from the first four overs thanks to George plus Luke, Bertie and Ellie.

Jacob came into the attack and struck first ball. Two overs on with Harry bowling, same result - first ball, same batter, out. Next over it was Jack and same result - first ball, same batter, out.

You felt for their three-times victim - it can be a cruel game, especially when Jack ended his over by bowling them again.

Wickets kept falling - though not as quickly - but one will live in the memory. Ellie’s brilliant bowling led to one coming straight back her. And with reactions your author can only dream of, she caught it.

Their final pairs were good though - and some great shot making saw the run column tick up much more quickly.

It could have been a much higher total though - Lightcliffe’s fielding was impressive. Stopping boundaries and backing up at the stumps which really showed how far this young team has come.

It was 81/6 after 20 - net 251. Tough but chaseable was the feeling, and so Lightcliffe batters came to the crease with purpose and hope.

The problem really was that Great Horton’s bowling and fielding was just as good and just as determined. And as the run rate slowed, shots were chanced - and caught.

Luke was unlucky with that - being caught twice in two balls, though he pulled his score back thanks to three beautiful boundaries. Ellie similarly unlucky on the wrong end this time of the caught and bowled treatment from the bowler she’d dismissed earlier on.

It looked like Lightcliffe would be well short but some great and composed knocks from Joey (8 runs unbeaten), George (13 runs unbeaten) and Harry (with two fantastic 4s) meant it ended up close.

232 the net score - 77 runs but 9 wickets, and that was the knock out blow.

The eight were sad, of course, but they should all be incredibly proud of a gutsy and determined performance not just today but through the season.

Thank you to not just today’s team but all our Collinson Cup players who took part in the earlier rounds over last few weeks - Bessie, Dougie, Evie, Jack Wolfenden, Leo, Nathan and Reggie.

Thank you also on behalf of all the parents to Gaz S, Gaz L and Rob for their incredible efforts through the season to organise the games, select the teams, and run match days. A huge ask for volunteer coaches and one we’re all very grateful to them for.

Reaching the semis a huge achievement for everyone involved in this young team who got stronger every week, and will be stronger yet again next year.