Steve Orrell looks back over the 2012 season for the Prestwich CC Under 11 teams.
A TEAM:
If you wanted to see some nail-biting cricket, the A team were the side to watch.
Their first two games were won by one run, and to prove it was no fluke, they made it a hat-trick of single run victories against Stand.
Arguably the most dramatic came against Bury Thunder when the last pair of Ethan Kershaw and captain Tom Robinson needed 10 runs from the final over, and Tom struck a textbook off-drive for four to win the game off the last ball.
Despite a nose bleed during the inter-league cup game against a strong Roe Green side, Tom Robinson still hit 23, but it was not quite enough to overhaul the home team’s total.
The leg spin of Aaryaman Roy impressed throughout the season, and his catch at mid-wicket against Woodbank was as good as you’ll see at this age group.
In the same game, Edward Whitehead took four wickets, including two in two balls, although the team still fell to defeat by three runs.
Three runs was the same margin of defeat against Irlam when the side went through a spell of losing too many wickets (costing four runs every time) in games, and lost four successive matches as a result.
Despite this mid-season blip, they finished strongly and ended the season winning nine of their 13 league games.
One of their most accomplished displays was at Worsley when they held an 88-run lead with just three overs left, only for a rainstorm to wash out the rest of the game, and we had to paddle back home!
Matthew Orrell was the wicketkeeper for most of the season and improved with every game.
Ethan Kershaw proved himself a very capable all-rounder while Luc Baldwin, Alex Quigley, Edward Whitehead and Mark McCoy performed consistently well, Mark also being an able replacement behind the stumps when required.
Ciaran Hughes, Daniel Olsberg and Daniel James were added to the squad as the season progressed and played their part in the team’s creditable displays.
A league table has yet to be finalised, but the A team could finish in the top three.
Results:
Won v Monton & Weaste by 1 run.
Won v Bury Thunder by 1 run.
Won v Worsley by 16 runs.
Won v Winton B by 79 runs.
Lost v Roe Green by 17 runs.
Won v Stand by 1 run.
Lost v Bury Lightning by 17 runs.
Lost v Irlam by 3 runs.
Lost v Woodbank by 3 runs.
Lost v Monton & Weaste by 39 runs.
Won v Prestwich B by 44 runs.
Won v Worsley (rain affected: 88 runs ahead with 3 overs left)
Won v Winton B by 75 runs.
Won v Bury Lightning by 58 runs.
B TEAM:
The B team belied their inexperience to get off to a flying start – winning their first game of the season at Woodbank.
And it was their excellent fielding which clinched a six-run victory, claiming two run outs and taking four catches!
Whilst they only recorded one other victory, the team performed well for such an inexperienced team. For most, it was the first time playing with a hard ball, and learning to run with pads on!
Their second triumph came at Worsley when both Connor Armstrong and Liam Hunt took two wickets each to help secure a 12-run triumph.
The team was led from the front by Jack Doyle, who had a fine year with the bat and ball.
Josh Ahern, the team’s youngest player, proved fearless as an opening bat, despatching head-high full tosses more often than not to the legside boundary.
Connor Armstrong, Teddy Clarke, Sam Entwistle, Liam Hunt, Josh Raleigh, Jake Oliver, and Ben Kyriacou all gained in confidence and made noticeable improvement as the season progressed.
The B team played 11 games in total, but did suffer more cancellations than the A team, due to the weather.
Results:
Won v Woodbank by 6 runs.
Lost v Bury Lightning by 41 runs.
Lost v Monton & Weaste by 126 runs.
Lost v Bury Thunder by 46 runs.
Lost v Worsley by 10 runs.
Won v Winton B by 12 runs.
Lost v Stand by 68 runs.
Lost v Prestwich A by 44 runs.
Lost v Irlam by 14 runs.
Lost v Winton B by 9 runs.
* Both A and B teams did the club proud, playing with enthusiasm, effort and in good sporting spirit.
