Cricket: Heywood U9s superb performance not quite enough against Middleton

Heywood U9s took on one of the stronger teams in the league, Milnrow, who have a number of players playing above their age group. Due to a few late arrivals from Milnrow, Heywood fielded first and proceeded to display what was one of the best performances any U9s team has delivered.

The tone was set from the first over when Joe Carter took the first wicket of the match. Wickets then followed from Thomas Grogan, Libby Harding and Jack Wilkinson. Special mention must go to Matthew Barker, who took two wickets in his first over.

Heywood took a total of nine wickets in their innings and all were thoroughly deserved. The bowling was straight and this reflected with just the five wides. Anyone who has watched junior cricket will know that that is an achievement in itself.

Fielding was also exceptional. All the plaeyrs committed themselves fully, which was noted and applauded by many of the spectators.

Tom Sullivan took some fantastic catches, which really kept Heywood in the game against a team to whom they had lost heavily at the start of the season.

Frankie Quinn also delivered his best performance behind the stumps, barely letting anything go past him.

Milnrow ended on 239 after their 15 overs.

Luke Thulborn and Callum Jackson batted very sensibly early on and Heywood only lost four wickets in their innings.

Thomas Grogan and Liam Forshaw played some nice shots and ran very well between the wickets.

However, with only one pair to bat, Heywood needed 14 runs to win in three overs. Tight bowling from Milnrow’s senior players put pressure on Joe Carter and Tom Sullivan. After a terrific effort from the two, Heywood fell just nine runs short and ended on 230.