We have a result from our U12’s (year 7 and below) team, who played their John North Under 12’s Cheshire Cup semi last night against a strong Heaton Mersey team who have reached multiple semifinals this season.

The lads had progressed nicely so far by beating Chester, Sale and Prestbury in the last 32, 16 and 8 respectively.

First victory on the board was winning the toss, with Skipper Sully Smith electing to bat and as ever getting himself padded up to start us off. The 2 Heaton openers were nibbling away nicely in the corridor and subsequently Josh Lawrenson snicked off, then quickly followed by Sully who nudged a full toss to midweek, leaving us 4-2 off just 7 balls. Not the ideal start.

Enter Edward Rogan and Oliver Butchart, both who began the year batting no.9 and no.10 respectively and have slowly and surely batted themselves into top order contention with vital knocks in big games. Ollie despatching 5 boundaries all around the pitch as they put on 34 before Ollie was caught by our sub fielder…typical! Ed then carried on his role adding another 22-run partnership to anchor the innings with the inform man Sam Cliff who has retired an astounding 11 times this year, before perishing for a solid 15 leaving us 60-4 around the midway mark.

Ameer came and went and at 65-5, having enough wickets for the final 10 became a worry. Enter Heath whose recent switch from batting 3 to 7 seems to be paying off, as he batted with maturity and the technique we know is there, him and Sam adding 20 before Sam departed for a fine 29, going for one last big shot before hitting the retirement number (30).

As with all year, we know whoever comes in can bat and have a role to play. Another player in Jakob Cooper who has come on leaps and bounds this year developed our next partnership him and Heath adding 34 with Heath clipping a delightful six off his legs, amongst some other big blows, finally departing for a superb 27 to a fine catch on the boundary. The innings was completed with some excellent momentum, Upton scoring 24 off the final 2 overs, Phineas Black despatching the last ball back past the bowler for 4 as Upton closed on 134, a very competitive score and once again another excellent team batting performance.

The lads were quickly reminded of the Instagram reel they had been sent on the morning of the game into the players WhatsApp group. It was of the late great Shane Warne – “Effort is Free. When you cross that white line, it is a choice of whether you give it or not”. Time to deliver on that.

As they have done for the last 2 months now Sully and Louie Ward opened to bowl tight lines and squeeze the run rate up. The ball was chucked to the skipper Sully, ever present, ever consistent and ever delivering. With the ball nipping and swinging about the pressure was immediately on, so much so a suicide single was attempted, cool as a cucumber Edward under armed the ball to Heath and one of the Heaton Mersey Openers was gone without facing a ball, 1 for none of the first over. Louie backed up with another tight one then 3rd over Sully nicking off the other opener… Upton on top 5-2 off 3 overs run rate up to 7.5 already.

Another player earning his way into a big role this year Ameer Awal in his debut season, then cleaned up their No.3 whilst continuing to keep it tight. Upton have now squeezed Heaton Mersey to 31-3 off 8 still needing 104 off 12 overs RR up to 8.6.

Then enter the main man, the Moh Salah of first season signings…Sam Cliff. He immediately bowled 2 middle order batters and then followed it up with another 2 overs later… the game was almost over at 38-6. Wickets followed for Louie, Phineas, Josh L and Elijah as Upton wrapped up an emphatic win by 50 runs.

Some very kind comments from the following Heaton Mersey parents who not only commented on the impressive swing bowling and team depth but more importantly the clear passion and love that the team have for the game.

The home support from many parents, 1st team members and other club members was greatly appreciated and will be required for the next stage.

A final beckons, a first cheshire cup junior final since Matt Owen, Smudges and Dave Williams famous team all now first team stalwarts, hopefully a good omen...

We will be playing either Toft or Oxton, TBD next week, both strong teams with pedigree, but as the lads have shown this year we play together we can win any game.