U13s Top the table with two wins to finish the season
All our Junior teams have been competitive and successful this season. The U9s and U11s continued to win most of their games in the Greater Manchester League. Our U13s have completely turned around their poor results from last year, winning 85% of their matches. Our U15s “Rammyfield” collaboration with Edenfield CC has also been a success, winning more games than not.
Sadly, the weather got to the remaining U15s games planned for early Sept but our U13s squeezed a couple of key matches in between the showers to stake a claim for the East Division title.
On 2nd Sept under gloomy skies and a 6pm start, we hosted a reduced 14-over game against Norden. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, reaching a quick 21 in the 5th over before George Lee ran out their dangerous opener. Some strong hitting from Norden was pegged back by tight bowling from Harry Bradley (3-0-9-0), Lewie Pearson (3-0-1-9) and Toby Anderson (3-1-3-1) backed up by Max Myers, Isaac Turner and George Lee. A tight bowling performance kept Norden to 67-5 off their 14 overs. Rammy’s opening batters (Isaac Turner 12 & George Lee 20) made steady work of the target and just as Norden tried to apply the pressure Harry Bradley pinged 27 off 14 balls to take us close. George Hill and Michael Souter held their nerve and saw us over the line in the last over after some tight bowling from Norden brought on another tense finish.
On 8th Sept the sunny skies returned for the U13s final game away at Rochdale. With rumours that 2nd place Walsden were struggling to re-arrange all their rained-off fixtures, the Rams needed a win to make sure they topped the table at the end of season. Rammy won the toss and elected to bowl, on a damp wicket. Rochdale struggled to score quickly under some tight bowling from Lewie Pearson and Max Myers. All 10 players took their 2 overs in turn, with standout bowling from Isaac Moore (2-0-4-2), George Hill (2-0-8-2) and George Lee (2-0-5-1). Rochdale’s total of 57-5 off their 20 overs looked a little below par with the ground drying out under the pleasant sunshine. Rammy’s started quickly but wickets fell and at 25-2 off 7 overs, they were still ahead in the game but need a partnership to seal it. It fell to the Captain to lead the team to victory with 33 not out, from 24 balls, hitting the winning runs in the 11th over.
So that’s it for the season. Looking ahead to Junior Presentation night on Friday 27th Sept and start of winter training only a few months away!
Regards
Phil Croft, on behalf of the Ramsbottom Junior Cricket Foundation