Edgworth Under-9s 208 Atherton Under-9s 257 (Atherton won by 49 runs)

 

 

ATHERTON youngster Denver Clare took three wickets and then top-scored with 17 with the bat to help his side to victory at Edgworth.

Edgworth went into the game with a few players missing and batted first.

And despite their absentees, the hosts contributed to a competitive match which saw a fine exhibition of cricket from enthusiastic youngsters – both boys and girls enjoying the game.

Joseph Chadwick-Whittaker started brightly for Edgworth alongside Harry Jenkinson.

Whittaker got the ball rolling with a four off his third ball, but all the hard work was undone when Lucas Charlson clean-bowled him.

Edgworth steadied the ship, staying at 200 until the third over when Whittaker hit 12 runs with a flurry of boundaries.

That signalled a new pairing of Harrison Gee and Jake Ludwick.

And Atherton smelt blood thanks to the bowling of Clare who took his first wicket to take Edgworth down to 206.

The highlight for Atherton in the field was Daniel Senior’s superb catch in the sixth over as three wickets took the hosts down to 202.

It was all or nothing in the batting stakes as Edgworth needed runs on the board and Tim Glover hit a four past square leg.

However, he was out soon after, undoing his hard work with Clare getting the wicket to reduce Edgworth to 209.

There was still time for some heroics in the final partnership as Kieran Warburton and Daniel Linane did well as substitutes.

The pair pushed for runs at every opportunity and despite being out twice, Linane bagged a boundary as Edgworth ended on 208.

Clare was the pick of the bowlers with 3-2. His excellent line and length was great to see and he looks a good prospect.

Charlson also supported well with 2-11.

It was always going to be hard to defend a target of eight and Charlson signalled Atherton’s intent with the first boundary of their innings from the fifth ball.

Oliver Wilson also sent a fine shot to the ropes to give the visitors the lead by the end of the opening partnership.

Atherton wanted to wrap up the win with the next pair of Joe Sizer (two) and Senior (10) – the highlight being seven runs off the fourth over.

But it was not plain sailing as Jake Ludwick then Kieran Warburton went close to wickets.

Millie Welch and Clare stepped up to the crease and from the first ball the pairing looked exciting.

Clare was as dangerous with the bat as the ball spraying shots around the park – the only blip in his top score of 17 was being out to Harrison Gee.

Welch also scored six to see Atherton up to 248 at the end of the partnership.

Edgworth enjoyed the next wicket of Oliver Gredecki thanks to Chadwick-Whittaker to ensure there was something for home fans to cheer.

But it was too little, too late as Atherton completed victory.

Edgworth’s Gee and Chadwick-Whittaker took a wickete apiece while Linane and Warburton bowled well.

 

COACHES' COMMENTS

James Whittaker
Edgworth U9s
“I thought both teams were well-natured and there were excellent players in both sides.
“Everyone seemed to enjoy it and Joseph got one of the main batsmen along with Harrison Gee.
“Credit to Atherton – they have a lot of exceptional talent and if we had a few more members of our team it would have been closer.”

Tony Gredecki 
Atherton U9s
“The game was played in a great spirit with both teams giving everything in a hard and fair sporting manner.
“Both showed some real skill that reflected well on how hard the clubs work with the players in training.”

 

EDGWORTH v ATHERTON
Under-9s League at Edgworth
Edgworth
Joseph Chadwick-Whittaker 11(15-4)
Harry Jenkinson 0(0)
Jake Ludwick -4(0-4)
Harrison Gee -5(3-8)
Tim Glover 1(5-4)
Frank Lowry 2(2)
Kieran Warburton 5(5)
Daniel Linane -2(6-8)
Total (start at 200) 208
Bowling: Charlson 2-0-11-2, Welch 2-1-2-1, Senior 2-0-13-0, Wilson 1-0-1-0, Clare 2-1-2-3, Charlie Gredecki 1-1-0-1, Sizer 1-0-5-0, Oliver Gredecki 1-0-2-0.
Atherton
Lucas Charlson 5(0)
Oliver Wilson 8(8)
Daniel Senior 10(0)
Joe Sizer 2(2)
Denver Clare 17(21-4)
Millie Welch 6(6)
Oliver Gredecki -1(3-1)
Charlie Gredecki 7(7)
Total (start at 200) 257
Bowling: Chadwick-Whittaker 2-0-7-1, Gee 2-1-3-1, Glover 1-0-6-0, Lowry 2-0-18-0, Ludwig 2-0-9-0, Warburton 1-0-1-0, Jenkinson 1-0-21-0, Linane 1-0-3-0.