After a strong season, hopes were high that Lightcliffe’s U15s could close their 2025 campaign with another win and another trophy as they arrived at Southowram on a sunny, warm Bank Holiday Monday.

But King Cross came with other ideas – they had a point to prove after being beaten several times by the young villagers throughout the season and were determined to be the ones lifting the Halifax Junior Cricket League’s Collinson Cup.

The U15s match was the meat in a sandwich of fixtures – the first, the U11s Development Final won by Illingworth St Mary’s by 28 runs but credit has to go to our neighbours at Brighouse for reaching the last two in a competitive competition; the second won by Copley’s U18s in a penultimate ball thriller over Blackley which, amazingly, was not the closest result of the day.

That title undoubtedly goes to the U15s fixture which swung back and forth more times than a nervous coach Alex had walked around the pitch during the 40 overs.

It started well with captain Monty Ramsden winning the toss and choosing to have a bat. But then an unusual sight this season – he fell within the first over, caught without scoring. The nerves grew, but were then steadied thanks to a pair of calm and measured knocks.

Ayaan Akram and Lucas Arnot both played with maturity beyond their years, rotating the strike when needed and punishing loose deliveries when offered. Akram, rightly named the player of the match, retired unbeaten on 35 from 33 balls, while Arnot matched him with 38 from just 28, peppering the boundary with seven fours. Their contributions gave Lightcliffe a solid platform in the middle overs.

There were then a couple of quick setbacks with Jack Anderson dismissed cheaply and Alex Gillgrass run out, but the lower order stepped up just when it was needed. Will Sweeten played a vital innings, striking an unbeaten 31 from 29 balls, while Luke Barrowcliffe added a brisk 10. A late cameo from Owen Horne and a handful of useful runs from Harry Dalzell helped push Lightcliffe to 143 for 5 from their 20 overs — a total that felt competitive but perhaps a few light and, as such, by no means secure.

The reply from King Cross was always threatening.

Their captain, Aayan Khan, led from the front with a rapid 35 retired not out, and he was well supported by Muhammad Rehan, who struck 24, and Yahya Sajid, who made 23. When Farhaan Ali joined in with a hard-hitting 25, complete with two sixes, the momentum looked to be swinging firmly towards the chasing side. At one stage, with wickets in hand and the run rate under control, King Cross seemed destined to overhaul the target.

But Lightcliffe’s bowlers held their nerve under immense pressure. Will and Lucas both picked up key wickets, while Dalzell’s dismissal of Rehan with a brilliant keeper’s catch from Monty came at exactly the right time, and Alex’s accurate fast bowling smashed stumps and took two victims.

The last over came and the tension had ramped up – 12 was needed to draw, 13 to win. King Cross were fearless – smashing a six and grabbing a four. It came down to the last ball and a simple equation – two runs for King Cross would secure a draw and a super over, stopping two runs for Lightcliffe would secure the win.

Lucas bowled, the ball was struck well, but it was stopped towards the boundary, thrown into Monty and the stumping was completed before the runner could get back for the second. Cue a release of emotion and pent-up tension on both sides, but it was Lightcliffe who were celebrating as the U15s sealed the win by a single run.

The margin of victory could hardly have been tighter, and it was the sort of finish that will be remembered by players and spectators alike. Congratulations to all the players involved on the day, plus Seth Thompson, Rafferty Earl, Oliver Frearson and Sam Walker, all part of the Cup campaign squad, and coaches Paul Ramsden, Alex Stead and Andy Walker.