Since the news that SMH U11 side was announced to play within the Lancashire final, excitement has been bubbling over for all involved.. In a short format game, of only 12 overs and only 8 players, to even be selected for the team was of a tremendous standard. In the end, those who represented their class mates, teammates and the school, did so with support behind them and great pride.
In a game with limited overs scoring runs fast was of great importance. SMH batted first with Ben and Tristan getting us off to a fantastic fast start. After this solid foundation built by the openers the stage was set for the big hitting of captain William Gordon and young Finn Stoker. At this point the fireworks started with both players taking advantage of some short bowling to crash the ball over the boundary on regular occasion. Next in to continue the positive and attacking batting performance was Casper Cort and Alexander Tomasiak. This pair followed the example set by the first four batsman showing courage and skill to keep putting runs on the board. The final pair of Loughlin Quinn and Charlie Bateson again carried on this charge hitting shots that would have been applauded at all cricket grounds across the country. A huge 303 was posted by this young and attacking SMH team.
However, batting is only half the game. This was most certainly a concept that was understood by our SMH team as they did not loose focus for one second when bowling or fielding. Taking wickets is always the aim of the game and our boys succeeded. All the boys took wickets with some accurate and fast bowling with special mention going to Alexander Tomasiak who kept wicket superbly in his first A team appearance of the season. This well constructed and attacking performance with ball in hand made life difficult for Oldham who ended up falling well short of the required score. A fantastic game from a battling Oldham side who our thanks go out to for making the trip.
A brilliant performance from SMH was in the end too much for this brave Oldham side which means the first cricket silverware for this young SMH side was to be collected. Well done!!
Mr Adrian Davies
