Under 9s win Bradford JCL Cup

Lightcliffe Under 9s 262-7 beat Great Horton Church 245-8 by 17 runs (net GB cricket scores)

Lightcliffe Under 9s have won the Bradford Junior Cricket League's competition for the third time in four seasons with a win over Great Horton Church, played at Undercliffe CC

Match Report Below courtesy of Paul Ramsden

Lightcliffe u9s (Bfd) 93-7 net 65 beat Great Horton Church 77-8 net 45 by 20 runs
Sunday 19th August 2018
Bradford Junior Cricket League Under 9’s League Play-Off Final

As Lightcliffe Under 9’s departed HX3 on Sunday morning, the remnants of Atlantic Storm Ernesto looked like causing the cancellation of the Bradford Junior Cricket League play-off final. However, the 8 mile journey to Undercliffe Cricket Club in BD2 saw brighter skies and a prompt start at 10am. Lightcliffe were shy of 3 regular choices Isaac Morley, Austin Harrison and Samuel Stobart but captain Dylan Crossley won the toss and invited Great Horton Church to bat first.

The innings started well for Lightcliffe with Hari Singh’s opening over maiden followed by 2 wickets in the 4th over bowled by Richard Buckland, one being a run out. Buckland claimed his 2nd victim clean bowled in his next over – these regular dismissals throughout the innings, resulting in the loss of 4 runs each wicket, coupled with great fielding enabled LCC to keep GHC’s score under control.

Harry Wright then struck with his 4th delivery following a miserly spells by Luke Barrowcliffe and 7 year old Lucas Arnot. Skipper Crossley then led from the front taking 3 for 13 from his 3 overs, one to a diving catch from wicketkeeper Monty Ramsden, who then removed the gloves to take a wicket with his 1st delivery thanks to a fine catch by another 7 year old Alex Gillgrass. GHC closed their innings on 77 for 8 giving a net total of 45.

Lightcliffe’s youngsters had fielded magnificently and despite gifting GHC 34 runs from extras mainly due to bowling with a wet ball from the overnight rain, a target of 46 to win would normally be within range.

Singh and Arnot opened up for Lightcliffe and were to see at close quarters why GHC had made the league play-off final as a wicket fell in each of the first 4 overs. With 21 runs scored, LCC’s total was netted down to 5 when Buckland and Wright came to the crease. Both had started the season in LCC’s development team in the Halifax League but were to show the strength of the Wakefield Roaders under 9 squad.

Man of the match Buckland top scored with 14 including 3 cover drives for 4 whist Wright punished anything short including a crashing 4 to the square leg boundary. Their 4 over wicketless partnership of 39 saw LCC total 44 at the halfway mark, only 1 short of GHC’s 45.

Gillgrass and Barrowcliffe were Lightcliffe’s 3rd pair and batted with maturity and experience beyond their years to only lose 1 wicket whilst taking the score to 55. With The Villagers now 10 ahead, Crossley and Ramsden faced the final challenge from GHC as their successful opening bowlers had an over apiece left. Despite Crossley being bowled in the 1st over, more sensible batting meant the game was won when Ramsden suffered the same fate with 3 balls to go. Fittingly skipper Crossley crashed another 4 to spark joyous celebrations amongst Lightcliffe’s youngest team who totalled 93 for 7.

The net score of 65 saw Lightcliffe crowned Bradford Junior Cricket League 2018 Under 9 champions by a 20 run margin. This was Lightcliffe’s 3rd success in 4 years at this age group and with 17 different players featuring throughout the summer and three of the final team under 8’s and two under 7, the long term future for LCC is bright.