Most people thought that getting to the semi-final of the U15s Cup was a great achievement and that drawing Roe Green who are unbeaten this season would signal the end of the cup run. The lads however were insistent that they were going to win and they didn’t let us down.

Roe Green were put in to bat and achieved a decent 102 after the 20 overs. Not the greatest score but we have had difficulty already this season chasing scores of less than 100 so it was game on. Niall Maher and Zach Clough opened the batting and Niall showed his intent with a 4 off the first ball.

We lost Zach early but Ali Ismail was excellent, retiring on 43. We lost our way a little in the middle but Niall was superb and retired on 40. Callum Clayton and Jack Stringer saw us home with an over and two balls left. We now face Denton West in the final. Well done to the whole squad, the only Denton team to reach a final this season.

Woodhouses 144-4, Denton 99-8

Monday night saw us at Woodhouses in the second round of the cup. Woodhouses batted first and reached 144 after their 20 overs. Two of their batsmen retired at 50 and the fielding wasn’t the best tonight. 3 wickets for Jarrod and one for Sam and very good figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 0 for 13 for Jake. We couldn’t have got off to a worse start with Jarrod being bowled with the first ball of the innings. We never really recovered from that with only 3 players reaching double figures, Mitchell top scoring with 26. Finishing on 99 for 8 we fell 46 runs short. Big game away next week against Denton West, lets hope we can recover by then.

Dukinfield 86-6, Denton 90-6

Another game that we were surprised was on considering the rain we have had. The Under Seventeens put Dukinfield in and were rewarded for the decision with them only reaching 86 for 6 after the 20 overs. Sam Neill was the pick of the bowlers with 4-0-14-2. Our innings got off to a bad start with Worm being run out by Jarrod with the score on 2 and then they lost Adam early as well. Sam Hood continued his good form and he was joined by Anthony Cross. Ant has been struggling so far this season but was excellent tonight with a very good 30 which included 5 fours. We reached our target in the 17th over. Another solid performance, well done lads.

Denton 99-1, Glossop 98-6

After last weeks shocker against Hyde it was nice to see the U15s get back to winning ways tonight. After all the rain during the day the game was in doubt up to the last minute but fortunately we managed to play. Glossop reached 98 from their 20 overs with an impressive 42 not out from their opener T Malkin. Two wickets apiece for Zach Clough, Sean Miller and Rorie Fielding and one for Ali Ismail were the bowling highlights. We had a new opening pair of Zach Clough and Niall Maher and they set about the job straight away. Zach retired on 42 which included 6 fours and 1 six. Ali Ismail was next but unfortunately was given out LBW for 2. Alex Beeley was next at the crease and he and Niall saw us through to the target of 99. Niall finishing on 37 not out and Alex on 11 not out. We play Glossop again next week in the cup so a repeat performance would be very welcome. Well done lads.

Denton 112-5, Hyde 108-3

The Under Seventeens had another win at home, this time against Hyde. The toss was won by Hyde who decided to have a bat and they made steady progress to reach 108 after the 20 overs. Two catches by Ali Ismail and 2 wickets for Adam Hilton, 1 wicket for Worm being the highlights. We started off well with Jarrod and Worm opening and were on 47 before the first wicket fell. Jarrod top scored with 32 before being bowled by Ebbrell. Sam Hood made an excellent 22 and steadied the ship after the previous 3 batsmen were out for low scores. He was joined by Mitchell Stafford who hit an impressive 25 including 3 fours and a 6. Game was won in the 18th over with Mitch hitting all 18 runs in the over.

Greenfield 86-6, Denton 87-2

After a mixed start to the season it was nice to progress to the next round of the cup where we will meet either Irlam or Woodhouses.

Early afternoon looked like the game was in doubt with the wonderful British weather but luckily it cleared and it was game on. Greenfield murdered us first game of the season and the blue noses who missed that game were well up for it.

We couldn’t have got off to a better start with Jarrod taking the first wicket in the second over. Great bowling from all the bowlers restricted Greenfield to 86 for 6 after the 20 overs.

The lads were confident they could do this, but not too confident after last weeks disaster. The innings couldn’t have got off to a worse start with Jarrod being bowled in the first over but Adam joined Worm and the runs started to come. We lost Worm with the score on 24. Jordan and Adam then knocked off the remaining runs with Adam finishing on 24 and Jordan on 38, great batting performances from both of them.

We face Hyde next week in the league at home.