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Youth Cricket 2011 |
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Gresford Cricket Club |
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UNDER 15’s UNDER 13’s UNDER 11’s UNDER 9’s
Match reports for the 2011 season will go below…
Chirk U 13's v Gresford U 13's - 5th May 2011 Hottest April on record they said.....well the start of the season saw the first rain in six weeks, only the gardeners cheering...oh yes, the GCC team were in full bloom for the curtain raiser of the season. GCC openers Matthew Thompson and Jacob Roberts, on debut, must have been in a grow bag for the winter as the array of strokes saw them shoot to their undefeated maximum scores before you could say 'chrysanthemum'. A 'hardy annual', Chris Mullock soon followed in the same vein with his no nonsense approach to his 30. Charlie Maclosky’s innings (29 n/o) was more architectural than horticultural and can been likened to a stately home, because of his straight drives! Will Roberts managed to get to the crease to steer the innings to an impressive 153 off 120 balls without the loss of a single wicket.
A quick drink and a downpour later and the team went out to restrict Chirk to 57 off their twenty overs. Skipper Harry Morris and Cooper 'S' seem to be perennial as they took up where they had left off last season conceding just eight runs in five overs between them and 'nipping in the bud' the innings of a Chirk batsman. The Roberts' Tom and Will that is, saw three Chirk batsmen wilt under the accuracy of the deliveries. Alex Quinn, Tom Webb, Ben Stubbs and Matthew Thompson all had excellent bowling spells with Mullock in great form behind the stumps. Most pleasing was the disciplined fielding display, very energetic and high intensity right up to the last ball.
Boys, you have set the bar very, very high!
Llandudno U13 v Gresford U13 - Welsh Club Championship (Second Round) Wednesday 11/5/11
You can play at the Oval...wow, you can have a trip to the seaside .. double wow, yes Llandudno CC is just off the windswept West Shore!! GCC put into bat by the opposition and made heavy weather of the opening spell, the two Welsh openers in the bowling attack made life very difficult. Jacob Roberts looked set to weather the storm and build his innings but was caught on '13'. Chris Mullock looked to move the innings on, until he scattered the seagulls with a lofted shot, with our total only 25 scored off the first ten overs. However, the innings took off with GCC middle order batsmen showing great determination, Lewis Williams 22 n/o, Adam Sawney 31 retired, Luke Sawney going well with his quick fire 12 and Will Roberts 1 n/o at the end. Total was 98-4, made in difficult batting conditions....it was going to be close.
GCC took to the field, and the opening bowlers of Harry Morris and Sam Cooper were in no mood to give the game up, their first four overs conceded just two runs collectively and had one opening batsman back in the warmth of the dressing room. The bowling attack was then supported by Will Roberts who took 2 for ten, Jacob Roberts 1 for 17 off four, Mathew Thompson, who took 2 for eleven. Llan were closing in on the total especially with 25 extras conceded! Skipper Morris threw the ball to Luke Sawney for the last over, Llan were swinging the bat like crazy to reach the total, but only their last two batsmen remained....... GCC won by seven runs in what turned out to be a very close game and received very positive comments from the opposition coaches particularly for the depth of the batting. That said boys, ground fielding practice for the rest of the season!!!!!!!!
Mar / Wrexham U13 v Gresford U 13 - Thursday 12/5/11
GCC batted first and set a high tempo from the off with Matthew Thompson looking in fine form for his 23. Chris Mullock then despatched six boundaries on his way to his 30 retired, ending with a straight six (no seagulls were injured in the making of this innings). Lewis Williams and Tom Webb followed shortly after, with their maximum scores of 30 retired. Sam Cooper and Will Roberts were going well with at the end of the innings with 15 and 6 respectively notching up an innings total of 163-3.
Mar/Wxm young side struggled against the GCC bowling attack making 49 off their 20 overs. Seven bowlers shared the duties: Harry Morris, Sam Cooper, Alex Quinn, Charlie Maclosky, Thomas Roberts, Lewis Williams and Jacob Roberts all returned good figures. Most pleasing was the improved fielding display from the previous evening. Musical accompaniment whilst fielding was provided Charlie Maclosky and Sam Cooper singing 'I need a Doctor' by Dr Dre...Charlie I think you might do!!!! the seagulls sounded better.
Under 15 vs Northop 11.5.11—Welsh Cup 1st Round 5 overs to go Northop need 73 to win and the rain came down....and nobody knows the rules, have we won?
A good batting display started with Craig Evans 33 and then a 70 run 5th wicket stand between Matt Curtis (48no) and James Austin (28no) allowed Gresford to reach 146 for 5 off their 20 overs. Northop’s reply was steady but with the bowlers on top the Gresford score was never going to be threatened, at 70 for 4 off 15 overs it ended!
Gresford U13s v Brymbo U13s - 19th May 2011
It was good to feel home turf under our feet for the first time this season, even though it was astro-turf, after three games on the road, we welcomed Brymbo to Clappers Lane. Brymbo's young side batted first and were soon under pressure with three wickets down for the loss of three runs, Cooper 'S' and Harry Morris doing the damage. Ten bowlers were utilised in taking the remainder of wickets, Brymbo finishing all out for 82. Chris Mullock and Jacob Roberts set high standards with their ground fielding. Lewis Williams took two good catches at mid off to help the bowlers. Wicket keeper Adam Sawney ensured the batsmen were kept under pressure throughout the innings and made two great stumpings. Alex Quinn went dancing down the wicket arms aloft, thinking he had taken a Brymbo scalp, clean bowled, the stuff dreams are made of, only to realise a no-ball had been called, turning to see the umpire with his arm out to the side, WHAT? OUTRAGEOUS, BLAME the umpire, who IS this person?! NO WAY, REDUNCULOUS (Shrek), I'm going to have NIGHTMARES, call the ECB, call me mum!!!! call anyone!, you'll be hearing from my lawyer!.. oh wait, I haven't got a lawyer.........Alex, the fact is it was still a no ball.
Gresfords' side were soon ready and prepared full of squash and several packets of custard creams, bourbons and digestives. (Leslie, glad you didn't bake cakes with that cold!) Openers Jacob Roberts and Matthew Thompson started superbly and soon took the score past sixty when they both retired undefeated on 26 and 20 respectively. Will Roberts (4 n/o) and Adam Sawney 11 n/o saw the Gresford to a comfortable win. Big thanks to Sam for scoring, it all adds up, no dramas!, oh, hope you felt ok after all those biscuits!!
Gwersyllt U13 v Gresford U13 26/5/11 'Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble', Gresford went into bat on this stormy evening, it was a scene from a horror film, dark clouds, rain, and at times ferocious wind and as I am not from a long line of polar bears, 'it was freezing'! An unusual procession for Gresford's ghostly white line up saw 'The Count' Harry Morris and his 'ghoulish' partner Alex Quinn march out to take guard. What was that? A massive bang, a clap of thunder perhaps, or a spell that has been cast, no it was the side screen being blown over. Each of our batsmen then had 4-5 overs each mainly to keep warm. The openers waved their magic staffs (their bats) and made a steady start in the conditions and retired not out. Sam Cooper and Tom Webb were the next pair, followed by Tom Roberts and Chris Mullock. Jacob Roberts and Luke Sawney then had a go in the middle and the innings was ended by Ben Stubbs and Mathew Thompson achieving a collective score of 93-3.
Gwersyllts' young side then made heavy weather against Gresfords nine bowlers making 31-7 in reply and continuing on the weather theme there were four ducks .... Fielding was good in support of the bowlers especially from Kim Jones on debut at mid-off for Gresford and Robyn Ridings for Gwersyllt who took a great catch. Great credit must go to Gwersyllt for getting the game on. Shivering parents demanded better weather for the next game, that would take a really big spell, 'Count' how are you fixed?
Northop U13 v Gresford U13 - Regional Semi Final Welsh Cup Forget the Champions league, this is the real cup competition! Gresford won the toss and put Northop in to bat. Opening bowlers Harry 'H' Morris and Sam 'Coops' Cooper made an excellent start conceding just 10 and 12 runs off their four overs spells each. One batsman was run out off the bowling of Morris with fine ground fielding and stumping from Adam 'Ado' Sawney. This started to build pressure on the batsmen with the score on 28 with half of the overs gone. Will 'Willo' Roberts 1-14, Jacob 'Jaco' Roberts 2-21, Ben 'Stubbsy' Stubbs 0-15 and Matthew 'Matty' Thompson 0-10 completed the bowling line up, Northop finishing their innings on 98-4.
After drinks and home made cakes, openers Matthew 'Matty' Thompson and Jacob 'Jaco' Roberts took to the crease. Matty reach an undefeated 30 n/o the hard way with only one boundary, the running between the wickets turning ones into two's set the standard. Those wind-up words said across the desk in school between mates clearly added an extra incentive. Jacob 'Jaco' Roberts looked set but fell for 6. 'Mully', marched out to the crease and quickly reached his 31 retired n/o, finishing his innings in style with a 4, 6, 4 combination. Following a brief visit to the crease by Adam 'Ado' Sawney, he left the run chase to his brother Luke 'Lukey' Sawney, modelling his new Gresford shirt. Straight from the Milan catwalk he took no time at all to get up to speed, cracking an undefeated 15 off just 8 balls. He was partnered by Lewis 'Cordie' Williams (James Corden look alike!) 9 n/o. The last two batsmen reached the total with an over to spare, for the loss of two wickets.
Big thanks to the catering department (mums) for ensuring the hospitality matched a great game of cricket. Oh yes, nice one 'Count', the weather much improved!
Under 15`s—The U15 league games away to Northop Hall (18th May) and home to St Asaph (25th May) were similar in many ways...we lost both! However in both games the only `old` player was Tomos Williams! At the `Hall` the batsman did their job scoring 128 for 3 with both openers retiring on 41no (George Thompson and Sam Jones. U13`s batsman Chris Mullock added a quick-fire 19. N Hall replied with 129 for 4 with just six balls to go. Against St Asaph the home side chasing 154 fell 25 runs short, again George Thompson dominated the scoring with an excellent 27 well supported by Mark Breese (26) and James I Jones (19) Overall batting = good, bowling = ok, fielding = work needed!` Overall...ex effort from these young uns, especially to Tom Webb, Harry Morris and Chris Mullock.
Ruthin v Gresford U13 - 2nd June 2011 GCC travelled to the picturesque Ruthin surrounded by the Clwydian Hills and since the 13th century, this small town has been the centre of power struggles battling for supremacy, but this night proved too much for the young home side. GCC batted first, with Tom Webb 29 n/o and Luke Sawney (21) trying to smash the ball over the castle ramparts. Will Roberts, Sam Cooper, Harry Morris, Edward Ellwood, and Lewis Williams all retired undefeated. Mathew Griffiths, Adam Sawney, Chris Mullock and Alex Quinn had too much fire power, with 178-3 on the board after 20 overs.
Ruthin in reply started well with familiar faces, Benji reaching a mature 25 on a wicket that was 'doin a bit', before a 'Mully' delivery came out of the sun to breach his defences. C Macaloskawich (aka Dartanian), had a shiny new weapon and shot 11 before Alex Quinn entered the fray, and took a three wicket maiden in his second over. L Williams, M Griffiths, H Morris (2-2), and Cooper 'S' (3wkts - 0 runs), all joined in the attack to ensure the was no charge of the 'sunlight brigade' (weather terrific). Adam Sawney remained energetic behind the stumps, but the battle soon ended with the home side reaching 47 all out.
E Tortoise
Friday 3rd June NE Wales Regional Final of Welsh Cup U15`s away at Northop Hall We now move onto the North Wales final!
Wed 8th June—U15`s vs Pontblyddyn Top of the league Pont travelled to G`ford and reached 127 for 4 off their allotted overs. Late replacement Sam Cooper (U13`s) taking two of the wks. In reply G`ford`s usually reliable early batsmen failed for once leaving James Austin (40no), Sam Jones (20) and Mark Breese (13) to allow the home side to challenge Pont`s score. Needing 2 to win off the last ball, James` scrambled single tied the match!
Gresford U13 v Pontblyddyn U13 - 9th June 2011 The eagerly anticipated league match had arrived as Gresford welcomed a talented Pont side to Clappers Lane. The visitors batted first and reached a competitive 107-6 off their twenty overs. An honest reflection would be that this flattered the opposition with some distinctly average fielding more often seen on Rhyl beach and sub-standard bowling, the evidence being m'lud in the 30 extras conceded column, which does not account for mis-fielding..work to do here!
After a calorific break, oh those biscuits.... a new look opening partnership of Jacob Roberts 32 n/o retired and Will Roberts (11) took to the middle and made steady headway. The middle order arrived and picked up the run rate, the Sawney brothers Luke (12) and Adam (24 n/o) sniffed out any whiff that the opposition had of victory. Lewis Williams joined Adam at the crease to see the game out getting over the line in the sixteenth over.
Jacob Roberts was in imperious form with the bat, his weapon of choice is a Salix Demon, his taste in music is punk band 'Greenday' and his favourite food judging from the next match is 'hot dogs'!!!! ..... wonder if he remembers the 'Pistols'?????
Brymbo U13 v Gresford U13 - 10th June - Welsh Cup Regional Final Fixtures coming thick and fast, but a pleasant interlude for some from exams! Brymbo put into bat and the lean mean bowling machine of Cooper 'S' was doing his stuff with the support of MC 'Harry'. The youngsters of Will Roberts and Matthew Thompson (1 wkt) played their part with four tidy overs apiece. The old boys of Jacob Roberts ( 2 wkts) and Luke Sawney were then thrown the ball to finish it, with very respectable spells slowing the run rate down to a trickle. Two stumpings and a run out by Chris Mullock behind the stumps left the chase on for 103 to win.
Opener Matthew Thompson revising for his maths exams went up in one's and two's until the final boundary ball saw him reach an undefeated 33 retired. He did have the assistance of a Deputy Headmistress in the score box, an electronic score board and his dad shouting from the boundary rope to assist, but it will be tricky to get all these in the examinations hall!!!!! Chris Mullock then looked to regain his form with a cultured 31 n/o retired. Luke and Adam Sawney, responded with 'runs' to the jokes from their school mates on the opposition side scoring 13 and 6 respectively. Victory came in the eighteenth over with a much improved performance in the field. Thanks to Brymbo (Andrew's wife) for the hospitality and the excellent wicket which that had been prepared for the match.
I have heard Newport is nice this time of year!!!!!!! Gresford are to represent North Wales in the Welsh Cup finals for the second year in succession.
E Tortoise
GCC U15 v Northop U15 - 15th June 2011 The visitors soon under pressure batting first with the first and second wicket falling to the bowling of Jack Powell for 3 and 2 respectively. Cooper 's' showed his class with a fine bowling display with two wickets in two balls. James Austin put in an all round bionic performance with the ball and the bat. H Morris topped the innings off taking the seventh Northup scalp. Skipper Fras, Sam Jones and 'Breezy' added to the bowling attack leaving Northup with 91 off 20 overs. Only 12 freebies in the extras column, hope your reading this U13's!!!!!
Oh those cakes Mrs B!! a quick interval and a block booking at Weight Watchers rehab later time to waddle out to the middle. George Thompson fresh from his music exam played the tune perfectly with Sam Jones at the other end, they made steady progress. James Austin continued his rich vein of form with the bat and pinged off five boundaries, which included two big sixes in his 32 n/o retired. The skipper, Jack Powell, Mully and Breezy, who was actually spotted peering out from under his hair and playing a straight batted shot! saw the game out with a Gresford win with two overs to spare.
Malpas U13 v Gresford U13 - 16th June 2011 M Thompson 21 and J Roberts 30 n/o retired opened for Gresford and were followed by Chris Mullock, Lewis Williams 24 n/o and Ben Stubbs 16, took the innings total to 115-3 after 20 overs.
New team to our league, Malpas have been scoring around the 100 mark in previous outings but GCC skipper Harry 'Houdini' pulled three out of the bag with a hatrick in his opening over to severely dent any ideas the opposition may have had. Cooper 's' used the pitch very well in his spell and kept the batters guessing with the responsive wicket. Ed Ellwood, Jack Lloyd, Tom Webb (2 wkts) and Rob Smith (2 wkts) all bowled well in their three over spells to control the game. Ben Stubbs was called upon to bowl in the eighteenth over and took the final Malpas wicket for a total of 82 all out. Ed and Rob, I guess the classroom will be a quieter place from now on!!!!!! Very good fielding display, which was recognised by the opposition, so congratulations to all, Lewis Williams setting the standards. We are half way through now, so teams will be looking to knock us off our perch, now there is the challenge GCC???? Congrats to Malpas for the excellent wicket prepared for the boys to play on.
22nd June U15`s vs Northop Hall N Hall travelled to G`ford expecting a close game as the previous two this season had been. Setting 139 for 9 the Hall must have been confident of winning. However the G`ford reply was brilliant reaching 140 without loss in 15 overs! Henry Makings and Matt Curtis both retired on 40 to leave George Thompson (9no) and big hitting James Austin (25no) to see us home.
Gresford CC U13 v Chirk U13 - 23rd June Sports news: Extra, extra read all about it!!!! Mark Cavendish gets MBE, Bradley Wiggins wins Criterium du Dauphine and Kimberly Jones cracks her first boundary as she opens the batting for the U13! Our visitors batted first and made a spirited 76 in their 20 overs. All the GCC team had a bowl but Tom Webb caught the eye taking one wicket for four runs off his three overs. Tidy bowling performances from Rob and Ed kept the opposition in check. Skipper for the night, Luke Sawney read the game well making adjustments to the field to control the innings. Then a quick break and the catering department decided to slow the opposition down with doughnuts, jam or custard what a treat! After food that was sure to slow down a charging rhino, it was unsurprising that GCC started well in their innings. Kim opening the batting got stuck into the bowling attack cutting one shot to the boundary flags. Chris Mullock (31) at the other end went about his business in a calm manner ensuring the run rate was maintained throughout the innings. Harry Morris appeared at the crease with his bat and made a quickfire 10 before retiring gracefully...looks like the bat still works then! Six players had a bat in all before the total was reached in the thirteeth over. A quick get well message from all the U13 squad to our excellent all-rounder, Will Roberts who is on his way to recovery after an operation. I have had to make a call to Robert Croft to see if he can fill in for you!!
Ynsygwerwn v GCC U13 - Welsh Club Cup semi finals - Newport 26/6/11 We've arrived, all the team safely down to Newport, team hotel not trashed despite the games of corridor cricket! GCC were put into bat by the opposition. Openers M Thompson, J Roberts and C Mullock all got off to starts, but struggled to develop their innings. Middle order however, had other ideas, scoring big, sending the run rate rocketing, Luke Sawney's maximum (33) retired n/o, which included six boundaries led the way, brother Adam (23), Charlie Maclosky (13), Ben Stubbs (11) not out and Sam Cooper undefeated on 5 took the innings total to a very competitive 130-6.
A quick break, team talk, warm up drills and a glance to the neighbouring pitch where Cardiff were putting Camarthen Dragons to the sword bowling them all out for 43. Ynsygwerwn from the Swansea area knew they had to push if they were to get the total. The familiar partnership of Harry Morris and Cooper 'S' opened the bowling. The scorer exclaimed, "well that's an unusual fielding position, close in on the drive". ' Coops' sends down his first delivery, batsman drives straight to Jacob, who takes a brilliant catch to dismiss the oppositions opening bat, "oh hecky thump" (or something like that),scorer fell off his chair beside himself. Wickets then fell at regular intervals and all seven bowlers got in on the act. M Thompson, H Morris, Luke Sawney, who couldn't be kept out of the game, 'Stubbsy', C Maclosky and Jacob Roberts. Three of the wickets relied on the reflexes of 'Mully' behind the stumps who put in a fine performance. Fielding was tight with 'Quinny', Lewis and Adam setting high standards. The opposition finished on 74-9 off 20 overs
GCC U13 v Cardiff - Welsh Club Cup semi finals - Newport 26/6/11 Well this is it GCC in the finals of the U13 National Club Championship, on the massive Newport pitch. Cardiff, who were adorned in their dark blue 20/20 kit, matching deck chairs and sun umbrellas, against Gresford in their 20/20 kit...white! Winning the toss Capt Morris chose to bat first as Cardiff had finished their game some hours before us dispatching Camarthen unceremoniously. Conditions nevertheless, were difficult, blazing sunshine, soring temperatures and the GCC batsmen could not get going, Cardiff building the pressure with an excellent bowling attack of two seamers and four spinners. As the pressure increased GCC began to gamble, four run outs and two stumpings later and the score crept up. Chris Mullock batted well reaching his undefeated 30 n/o, Charlie Maclosky was not intimidated with a brave 19 and a 'Coops' and 'Webby' cameo had a good go at the end. GCC made a total of 74-9 off their 20 overs. After the break the six Gresford bowlers toiled away, but the Cardiff batsmen could not be denied, reaching the total set in the eleventh over.
After speeches from Ted Tipper and Peter Hybart, Glamorgan players were on hand to make the presentations, Camarthen Dragons in 4th, Ynsygwerwn in 3rd, Gresford runners up and a very professional Cardiff outfit the winners. They will face the winners of the English competition. Lots of photo opportunities of the teams on the balcony at Newport with their medals. A big thanks to the squad of players who got us to this point as well as the logistics department (mums and dads), who made the day so memorable as we did North Wales and our club very proud.......magic!
Gresford v Marchwiel/ Wrexham U13 1st July Visitors batted first and were on 70-7 at the end of their innings. A nine player bowling attack with Webb, Roberts, L Sawney (2), Quinn, Smith and Mullock all in the wickets. After the break the unfamiliar openers of Adam Sawney and Lewis Williams took to the field and put 33 on for the loss of the first wicket. Williams went on to make an undefeated 31 assisted by Rob Smith at the other end (15 n/o). Cooper 'S' evicted a few spiders when retrieving his bat from his cricket bag, but made steady progress with his 9 n/o. Victory was achieved in the eleventh over with the loss of one wicket.
Brymbo v GCC U13 - 7th July An excellent game all round from GCC team, some cultured batting perfromances, accurate bowling displays and Jonty Rhodes would have been proud of the fielding. This match was also played in a very sporting manner typified by Jacob Roberts 'walking' after the faintest of touches, which was caught behind by their wicket keeper. Matty Thompson and Jacob Roberts opened the batting and looked to be building an decent partnership of 27 when a crazy five minutes saw both their dismissals and before the gate had swung closed 'Mully' was on his way back as well. Luke and Adam Sawney, straight back from a school match then both scored an unflustered 32 n/o before retiring, despite parents practicing for the British Grand Prix to get them there, well done........anyone want to buy a four wheel drive, never raced or rallied, one lady owner???? Webby top edged one to square leg before Lewis Williams (27) and Charlie Maclosky took the score to a very competitive 140-4 at the end of the innings.
After a quick break the bowling attack were keen to do their stuff, with Harry Morris and Cooper 'S', taking wickets in their opening overs. Jack Lloyd and The 'mighty Quinn', both used the pitch to move the ball around making it extremely difficult for the Brymbo batsmen, they both took wickets in their three over spells. Spinners came on next with Jacob and Adam providing the entertainment. After a couple of wickets in their overs, Brymbo were again in difficulty and were all out for 55 in the 13th over. Most pleasing was the intensity of the bowling and fielding display, building the pressure on the opposition, clearly learning from the Newport experience and motivating other team mates. Williams, Thompson and Maclosky were in the zone with their fielding making boundary saving diving interventions. How does the saying go, 'catches win matches', six dismissals were caught, one stumping and a run out in a near perfect GCC perfromance, eh Skip??
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