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The Stopfordian 2011–2012
balance, despite an excellent innings from George Francis.
Superb bowling from Seb Croft and Alfie Earith chipped away
until finally a comfortable victory was assured. The
celebrations began at the cup presentation and continued
throughout the journey home. What an end to the season!
Prior to that grand finale, the season itself was frustrating.
Tough conditions for batsmen made scoring runs difficult, but
nonetheless George Francis impressed with a series of sensible
knocks, taking full advantage of the fact people cannot bowl
at left-handers! Seb Croft, Mark Orpen and Lewis Braddock
made important contributions and Ned Barlow seemed to
alternate between half-centuries and being caught at long-off
for a duck.
The team plan revolved around taking wickets with the new
ball and Louis Jones, Ned Barlow and Seb Croft frequently
made early inroads. Once the middle order was exposed,
Alfie Earith emerged as a cunning medium-pacer who was
often too good for the opposition and recorded some
outstanding figures. Arjun Takiar could also be relied on to
sneak the odd wicket at the end.
It is not often that a team records an unbeaten season and this
side showed great character and resilience, not least when
Under 14 Cricket Squad
defeating Altrincham on an appalling wicket. Mark Orpen
was the successful captain, leading the troops well and
maturing as a tactician. The rest of the squad didn’t let
anyone down – Messrs. Page, Travis, Fraser, Kiani, O’Brien and
Jassim all had their highlights and contributed to the team’s
success. Next year is the National Competition and I look
forward to future success.
S. A. Moore
UNDER 13 CRICKET
The season was anticipated with enthusiasm from a large
squad keen to attend net practice and to stake a claim in the
starting XI. To this end Travis (w) put down an early marker
with a good all round performance (28) and 4-13 in our
opening victory against Bolton School.
The Cheshire Cup saw us drawn against Bramhall H.S. Those
spectators arriving slightly late almost missed the game as our
opponents were routed for just 15 - victory secured by 10
wickets.
Our winning start continued against local rivals Cheadle
Hulme School – a solid knock by opener Jones (40) and useful
contributions from Towle (25) and Yates (19) ensuring our total
of 143 was too much for our opponents. A hastily re-arranged
fixture against Audenshaw was one we had cause to regret.
Arnold, our original opponents, had decamped to Wembley
to watch Blackpool in the play-off final. A nine wicket defeat
saw us struggle against a hostile pace attack.
We fared better in the Cheshire Cup, winning comfortably
against Bishop Heber HS where Towle struck a splendidly
belligerent 72 in a total of 154. Inclement weather then put
paid to our next two games and it was perhaps a lack of match
Under 13 Cricket Squad
practice that saw us eliminated by Birkenhead School in the
quarter final of the Cheshire Cup.
In all a mixed season but in spite of this and the sorry weather,
we were delighted by the spirit and enthusiasm of the whole
squad; led admirably by the captain, Yates.
P. A. Urwin / E. H. Corbett
Sport 101