This was a game this youthful under 17s side could and perhaps should have won .
It is a credit to them that Duncan Powe focused on the dropped catches in the field that was a significant contributor to the outcome. In truth a number of other decisions also conspired to contribute to the result.

Captain Siraj Hussain again led from the front with a solid 31 until when well set, he was adjudged LBW to a delivery which clearly hit the upper thigh pad.

The decision disrupted the flow and few of the middle order became established, although Rhys Tomas in his first outing of the season did occupy the crease. At 70-5 the innings looked destined to a tame demise.

A plucky late innings partnership full of good running between Jack Booth (11no) and Liam Holmes (12) added another “third” to the score and produced a total that held out some prospect of defence.

With the Team Manager relenting and allowing the use of a new ball, the onus was on the team to use it wisely. The bowling was acceptable early on, with Daanyaal Ahmed again showing quality with 1-8 from his 4 overs. Late draftee 12 year old Kieran Collins defied his young years and bowled well as did his elder brother Liam with 1-13, nut the visitors were never far from the run rate.

Other critical factors – a number of acceptable chances to take catches – especially of top order players, with “senior” players Patrick Wild and Hussain himself the main culprits all made it hard for the team, but still they hung in.

A target for Old Lane of 25 from 4 overs and the match was still a balanced. When Irsalaan Ahmed bagged two wickets the match swung towards Lightcliffe, but with wides being called against the same bowler and a crucial double figures over against Hussain (despite a successful LBW), saw the game slipped cruelly away.

Cricket is a sport of opinion and judgement and whilst there is certainly no criticism of a captain who is getting the best from promising young players, one wonders what positive influence may have been gained by bowling at some stage, the in-form “quickie” Liam Holmes.