Leigh Cricket Club - Kwik Cricket Report No.1
On July 10, 2002, Michael Wynn Owen (11) led out Leigh CC's first ever Kwik Cricket team for a 10-a-side game versus Bell's Yew Green. Mike won the toss and chose to bat first. Playing "mini-8's" rules, using an IncrediBall! batting in pairs and with minus five runs scored for wickets lost, Leigh scored an excellent 39 runs with boundaries hit by Michael, Oliver Gates and several others. When Bell's Yew Green batted, everyone bowled (with the exception of Josh Swallow whose broken arm is still mending) and the field rotated so everyone fielded in all positions. The Leigh bowling was excellent, given the junior nature of our team. Angus Harris and Matthew Nicholson bowled especially well.
But the high spot was Leigh's fielding and catching: superb catches were held by James Heis, Oliver, Angus and Matthew. Alfie Hall and Sophie Massingham (both of whom only began Kwik Cricket this summer with Leigh) did exceptionally well with the ball, consistently backing up the fielding, and Josh fielded well on the long-on boundary. Bell's Yew did not have any players under 9 years, so our three 8-year olds (in fact as if July 10, neither Alexander Harris nor Thomas Maslin had reached 8!) (Josh being the other), did exceptionally well. Alexander is wondering whether at 7 years and 348 days, he is the youngest person ever to be selected to play a game for Leigh?
In the end, when all wickets and runs had been totted up, Bell's Yew Green had scored 57 giving them an 18-run win, but it felt closer than that.
In honour of Leigh's first game, all players and the two "twelfth men", Jonathan Coles and Thomas Edwards, were awarded certificates like to one at the top of this page.
Thanks to David Gates for helping with the organisation, Annette ("AH of Leigh") Harris for refreshments, and to Bell's Yew Green for being good sports and giving us our first game. Also thanks to all the mums and brothers and sisters who came and cheered the team on.
Ian