The St Bede’s U14 XI ended their season by winning the Manchester Schools Cup, beating an MGS XI at MGS in a thrilling 20/20 encounter which went all the way to the last delivery.
Captain, Burke, won the toss and chose to bat on a great wicket. The opening pair of Mason-Turner and Naqvi were pinned down by some outstanding opening bowlers who both recorded run rates below 10 over their 4 overs. After Naqvi was bowled Dando and Mason-Turner batted well to see off their strong openers and first change bowlers. With the scores in the mid 30s off 11 overs, Bede’s looked like they would be posting a score difficult to defend. After Dando was caught, as he looked to push the run rate up, in came Jessop. Turner was out following a great delivery and Burke entered the fray. These two added a fantastic 60 runs to ensure Bede’s finished on 96 off 20 for 4 wickets.
Whilst this score was short of the triple figures which psychologically would have placed added pressure on MGS, it was still a good enough total to defend.
Opening bowlers Mason-Turner and Nuamah kept the opening batsman scratching around for runs and a wicket in the 3rd over from Nuamah immediately put MGS under pressure. This was followed by a second wicket of his next delivery. With Bede’s now on the front foot, MGS struggled to keep up with the run rate. It wasn’t until their mid order arrived at the crease and the opening batsman, who batted superbly for 16 overs, that MGS got themselves back into the game. With a required run rate of 10 of the last 2 overs, Bede’s looked to have the game tied up. Not the case. Three boundaries and a couple of quick singles meant MGS required 6 off the last over. Nuamah on for his last over, needed to bowl well. 2 off the first 2 balls meant that the game was poised to go all the way. A 3rd ball wicket followed by a dot ball left MGS requiring 4 off 2. Tight bowing and fielding kept them to two runs.
Burke, Jessop, Bates and Woan produced some stunning fielding and catches but it was the collective efforts of the whole team that capped off a great performance and brought the Cricket season to a positive close.
Mr Muckalt, would like to thank all of the U14 squad for their efforts this season and indeed over the last two years since the Cricket programme was relaunched. Mr Muckalt would also like to recognise the collective efforts of Mr Gallagher, Mr Parker and Mr Fisher whose energy and love of the game, has reignited the spark to get Bede’s back on the Manchester Cricket scene.