Match Report by Stephen Naylor

Eight young players - three of them making their debuts - prepared to take to the field with captain Luke winning the toss and choosing to put the hosts into bat.

Pre-game warm ups were led by our young coaches of U11 & U13 players Dom Naylor, Ollie Rose and Brodie Tait - perfect inspiration for our even younger cricketers after their Cup wins last season.

Then, for the first time in 2026, fielding positions were assumed, and the match began with Luke opening the bowling for Lightcliffe with a tight over. Theo followed and struck with his third ball to take the first wicket of the day, George took the second and the hosts were restricted by Evie, Jack, Bessie, Harry and Arthur. As we reached the halfway point of the innings, the extras column was though creeping up – which stopped with Luke’s return when in an impressive over he took two wickets, caught off his own bowling, and only conceded one run. George took another wicket in his second over, but a late flurry from Sowerby St Peter’s meant their total crept up to 87/5 by the end of their 16 overs – a net score of 262.

In response, opening pair Luke and George started well with 10 from the first over, including the first of two boundaries for the captain. A great ball cost him his wicket in the third over with George losing his in the fourth, but a net 23 from the opening four overs was a great start. Next up came Evie and Bessie who defended their wickets well but struggled to add to the total, it was slow progress too for Theo and Arthur though an excellent boundary for Arthur and some good running in the 12th over kept Lightcliffe in the chase. The final pair of debutants Harry and Jack tried hard to get the visitors over the line, but a wicket and some tight fielding made the difference as the home side held off the challenge.

It couldn’t have been a closer result, defeat by single run but a huge amount learnt and a huge amount to be proud of.

Thanks to Rob for organising, coaching and running the game, our support team of an impressive collection of parents and grandparents, and most of all to our young boys and girls for a brilliant attitude that opened what looks set to be a great season to come.