U13s Defeat Bredbury in Vitality T20 Cup

A closely contested match had been anticipated between these two quality teams.  With the Jets winning the toss and electing to bat first on an overcast evening at Poynton, it looked like a good toss to win.

Ben T and Harry W opened and with respect shown on both sides against some accurate length bowling the opening overs kept the run rate low.  First to go was Harry W trying to play a more expansive shot to move the scoring along only to have his off stump bail taken from a pacey delivery nipping back.  With a strong batting line up the Jets had to find the balance of playing scoring shots against a strong attack.

Next in was Captain George F.  The strong bowling attack still in full force the Jets found a way to keep the runs ticking along.  

The field was frequently set and reset by Bredbury’s young captain and this became a feature of the innings, not helped by left hander Ben T at the crease taking singles where available.  Time was ticking by on an overcast evening.

Following the fast opening bowling, all three Bredbury spinners were accurately able to turn the ball and  eventually had success as Ben T fell, having collected 3 boundaries on a slow outfield along the way to a well played 18.

George F led by example, playing scoring shots and respecting the good balls.  

Will K found the middle of his bat playing classic shots, but Bredbury’s good field placements kept the scoring down.

George F collected two boundaries and some quick running between the wickets saw him reach 15 before being trapped LBW for 15.

Kamran M next at the crease played himself in and collected two boundaries before top edging a pull shot collected by the keeper.  Good attacking intent shown for his 11.

Elliott R joined Will K in the middle and continued the runs ticking over, both players becoming more assertive as the game progressed.  With some great cricket shots and good running between the wickets at the end Will K and Elliott R deserved their not outs, 15 and 10 respectively.

A strong bowling attack was weathered by the Jets who kept the runs flowing through the order and ended on a well fought for 90 for 4 (20 Overs)

Would this be enough to repel the strong Bredbury batsmen?

Josh F opened the bowling with a quality first over instantly pinning the eager openers back.  Cameron H shared the spell with Josh and found success with his third ball to send Bredbury’s number two batsman back to the pavilion for 0 bowled first ball.

A great start.

After Josh F and Cameron H completed their accurate opening overs offering the batsmen little, Sam C then joined in the attack with his own accurate fast bowling.  He made a fine stop off his own bowling from a hard hit straight drive by the Bredbury captain, which he blocked with his foot, but in doing so took a painful injury to the ankle.  Showing great commitment he continued bowling while trying to mask the obvious pain.

The hard hitting Bredbury captain remained at the crease unable to capitalise due to the superb fast bowling display as Jaiden B and George F joined the attack.  All bowlers accurate and suppressing the run rate.  

Wicket keeper Harry W was miserly, letting little through and made some fine stops including some fast legs side takes.  

Jaiden B got his rewards for a great spell and made a breakthrough as he bowled the attacking Bredbury captain who tried to play an expansive shot.  A big wicket for the Jets.

Shortly after the injured Sam C, who bravely continued to bowl, took a C&B which looked all the more spectacular as he couldn’t spring from his injured leg so had to dive to his top right-hand side off his left leg, leaving him to secure the ball at the extremities of his reach.  Great athleticism.

The pressure was building on Bredbury who were behind the required run rate half-way through, but with plenty of batters to go.

Elliott R bowled his tricky left arm action to great effect breaking up the bowling styles and giving the batmen further problems to overcome.

Kamran M joined the attack, bowling some great measured spin and being rewarded with a lovely piece of cricket enticing the batsman to nick the ball, duly caught by the wicketkeeper Harry W. 

Ben T bowled with his fast left handed efficient style pinning the batsmen back and frustrating them, building the pressure and taking a wicket for his efforts.

With George F coming back into the attack and with some excellent bowling, firstly he removed Bredbury’s top scorer on 24, promptly followed by their number 6 in the next ball to puncture a hole in their middle order.

As light was fading the Jets needed to keep the scoring down as Bredbury were still in the game needing just 8 an over off the last 3.  The game was in the balance.

Medium pacer Louis B, was next to bowl.  Selected from the Jets U11’s stable at short notice he had already proven his worth in the field showing ability and maturity beyond his years.

But could he do it with the ball?  With Bredbury running everything at this stage, the pressure could not be higher.  

Well supported by his teammates Louis calmly took the ball, followed his processes and, like a seasoned professional bowled tight skiddy medium pace restricting the Bredbury batsmen to singles.  Further adding to the batsmen’s pressure.  A great over.

In the now poor light, Kamran continued to spin from the other end and was rewarded for his bowling under pressure, taking a C&B in the penultimate over, perfect timing.

All down to Louis B as he continued to bowl excellently again, restricting the opposition to singles, suffocating their chances of winning.

Final score 
North East Cheshire 90-4 (20 Overs)
Bredbury St Marks 78-8 (20 Overs)

A fine team performance for many reasons not least the spirit in which they played, the U13 Jets move on to the next round of the cup vs High Lane or Marple.