End of Season Summary | Junior Cricket

Under 9s

A big year of change for the Under 9s  with league games moved to Sundays and a large turnover of players completing their time in U9s and moving up to the U11s. The move to Sundays has caused availability issues for lots of clubs so to regularly get two teams was really pleasing.

10 players made their MCC debut at U9s level with both the Reds and Blues fielding teams with lots of fresh faces.

With so many new players to blood, we did well to win 5 of our 12 games this summer and with a little more nous would have got over the line in a few more.  Two of our wins came early doors in April and May.

Against Friends Sporting, Grace K led from the front with early wickets and Jay bowled tight lines to restrict Friends’ scoring. In response, some excellent running put us ahead of the rate early on and secured the win. Against Dukinfield, debutant Jacob smashed it all round the park and fellow first-time player Darcy bowled excellently and took a well-deserved wicket as we won for a 2nd week in a row.

June and July were busy months for both Under 9s sides with the Reds and Blues in regular action on Sunday Mornings.

For the Reds, confident wins against Denton West and Ashton were the highlights. At Ashton, early wickets and tight fielding restricted ACC to 235. Mottram ran well in response to get level early on and then last pair James H and Ryan B put the bowlers to the sword to win comfortably. Against West, 217 played MCC’s 289 as Ryan hit 4 sixes, George C knocked the stumps over with his 1st delivery and Alexander took 2/6.  

For the Blues, a dominant win at High Lane was the stand-out. Niamh stroked the ball through the covers with ease and both Grace and Erin took 2fer. A week later, there was another pleasing performance for the Blues despite Friends taking the win. Arthur and Niamh bowled tidily and Mejeve's 6 was a big highlight as we lost by 30 to a strong side.

Jay C (17) and C Fletch (14) showed their big hitting credentials away to Shaw too, but we were out-gunned and lost by 20.

Under 11s (Sunday Hardball + Softball Team)

An interesting start to 2026 as we had to adapt quickly to the U11s softball league not taking off as expected. With a little bit of hectic admin, we managed to create a 2nd U11s hardball team that played the early season softball fixtures before switching focus to hardball.

13 players made their hardball debuts through this side this summer, so it looks to have given us an excellent platform to build on over winter and into 2027.

April and May saw us complete two of our three softball fixtures. An inexperienced side represented themselves admirably against Greenfield, with Arthur and Skipper Oliver in the wickets. Oliver and James both scored quickly but Greenfield bowled well to curtail our other pairs.

Much improved fortunes at Woodbank though where Isaac (18) and James (19) helped us set an imposing looking 294. Woodbank batted tidily but a really strong bowling performance saw us restrict the hosts to 228. 2 weeks later at Tintwistle, we bagged our second softball win in a row. Ben W (16), George C (13) and Jake H (11) putting our hosts to the sword. A 30 run win with Ben W (1/16) the pick of the bowlers.

From there the focus on Sundays switched to Hardball and we started with 2 wins from 3. Away at Shaw it was Ryan B (21) and Isaac H (15) who found the gaps nicely to help us score 105. Erin, Ryan, George and James all took wickets as we won by 25.

In the return fixture, Shaw came out on top. Jake H (17) top-scored for MCC as he attacked beautifully. Elias W took a first hardball wicket but Shaw batted well and won by 40. We bounced back with a win though on the road at Ramsbottom where a 9 run victory came courtesy of 3fer for Alexander and 2fer for Erin. A final trip up to Shaw saw Sophia take 2 wickets on hardball debut as we rounded out a busy summer with another display that bodes well for 2027's 11s.

U11s Softball/Sunday Hardball Batting Statistics

Jake H 55 runs @ at an average of 27.5

James H 53 runs @ at an average of 53

Ryan B 52 runs @ at an average of 26

U11s Softball/Sunday Hardball Bowling Statistics

Erin K 4 wickets @ an average of 5.50

Arthur 2 wickets @ an average of 23.50

Ryan B 2 wickets @ an average of 20

Under 11s (GMCL League Hardball Team)

With plenty of new faces in the U11s team and the challenge of playing at the U11s Premier League level to face up to, it was always going to be an interesting start to the season.  Pleasing then to see the U11s team more than rise to the challenge as they won 5 of their 6 games and were crowned outright Regional League winners.

At Glossop a score of 236 leant heavily on 13* from both Lyra and Benedict but was successfully defended thanks to Lydia taking 2/12, Benedict bagging 3 in an over and 1apiece for Oliver K, Charlotte D and Thea A.

A week later, defeat to Droylsden was a rare off night where our fielding cost us but was positive for a notable debut for Ryan B who earned figures of 2/2. We bounced back quickly with victory over Glossop at the MCG which saw Dollie (17*, 2/5) and Megan (14*, 3/3) help us win by 89 runs.

Saul (17*), Benedict 16* and debutant Charlotte F (2/5) were the stars of the show as we won v West at home to make it 3 wins from 4. The 11s soon had revenge for the Droylsden defeat too, with a night where it rained wickets seeing us win by 59 runs. Lyra’s 4/3 tore a hole in DCC, with able assistance from Thea (2/5). With the bat we were a little nervy chasing a modest total until Benedict (26*) accelerated us to safety.

We rounded out the Regional League stage with a win on the road at Denton West. Benedict was in fine form with the bat again, scoring 24 to allow us to set a total of 228. When Denton West’s first pair had them on 215 we looked in trouble but our bowling unit fired brilliantly. Oscar (1/12) set the tone before Saul’s 2/4 and Dollie’s 3/10 ensured we were bang in it. Benedict took 3/5 to put our noses in front and Oliver held his nerve in the final over to seal it.

After a strong Regional League showing, the U11s were competitive but despite plenty of close games won just one of their six Performance League fixtures. Royton are one of the strongest outfits around and we were beaten at home, despite Ryan’s 1/8 and Benedict smearing it around the park for 25.

That was followed by a win v Droylsden, sneaking home by 1 run. Droylsden out-scored us but our attack was in a wicket-taking mood with Oscar (2/7), Saul (2/10) and Megan (3/10) running riot.  Droylsden battled well but Saul (12*), Megan (10*) and Benedict (15*) provided enough resistance to creep us ahead.

At Woodhouses, both teams took 6 wickets but some early big hitting ultimately gave our hosts the edge. Having set WCC 264 to win (Megan 17* and Benedict 18), we felt well in the game. Their opening pair then racked up 45 to put us on the back-foot. A Megan spell of 4/3 and Thea’s 2/9 dragged us back into it but WCC had a wily Pair 4 who nudged them back in front.

Rounding out the season was the Summer Cup. Arthur B and James H made their U11s league debuts, and we acquitted ourselves well but were on the wrong side of a 5 run deficit.  Lyra, Saul and Charlotte F batted sensibly to provide Benedict (17*) and Megan (15*) with a launch pad for our eventual 272. With conditions suiting batting, we knew wickets would be tough to come by and despite some miserly bowling, only Benedict (1/6) snared a wicket and SCC hung on.

Saul (26), Ben W (15) and Megan M (16*) got us to 304 against Dukinfield and 1 wicket apiece for Charlotte F, Lyra, Dollie, Thea and Oliver ensured we won by 28. That set-up a must win clash at Glossop if we were to progress to the Summer Cup KO rounds. Benedict’s 31 was full of class, Ben W (1/5) took his 1st league wicket and Thea’s 1/2 was precision line and length but the hosts had just too much strength for us and won by 13.

U11s GMCL League Hardball Batting Statistics

Benedict H 302 runs @ at an average of 100.6

Megan M 151 runs @ at an average of 151

Dollie H 111 runs @ at an average of 7.4

U11s GMCL League Hardball Bowling Statistics

Megan M 14 wickets @ an average of 8.64

Benedict H 13 wickets @ an average of 11.15

Lyra H 11 wickets @ an average of 16.82

Under 13s

A strong showing all summer from the U13s who finished 2nd in the Regional League to DSL, 2nd in the Performance League, and then top of the Summer Cup group stage.

With both Regional League games v Micklehurst falling victim to the rain, our record was 2 wins (both v Saddleworth) and 2 losses (both to DSL)

On the road at Saddleworth Haris’ first ever 30* retirement plus 22* from Benedict and 13* from T Fletch ensured we scored a competitive 112. Saddleworth batted well but 3/20 from Haris killed their momentum and secured the points.

The DSL home fixture saw Mottram well short of their 170, but was another promising display with the bat as we scored >100 for a 2nd week in a row, Benedict (30*), Haris (25) doing the heavy lifting there with fine knocks.

A tough night at DSL was one to forget and was put to bed with a strong performance against Saddleworth at home.  It was Skipper Dan M’s turn to retire with 30*, as he batted beautifully alongside William (28) to lift us to 121. Iris bowled a metronomic spell (1/8) to ensure Saddleworth were behind the rate from ball one. Dollie (also 1/8) picked up her first 13s scalp and they were superbly supported by Leo M, William F, Brodie H and the rest of the pack as we kept Saddleworth to 109.

Next up was the Performance League, where we were again in 2nd place having won 2 and lost 2. Both victories went to the wire and it was impressive to see the team’s calmness under pressure.

Away to Thornham, Dan M (26) and William F (16) got us off to a quick start. From there, Benedict scored a run a ball 30* with support from Max and T Fletch to set 115/7. We didn’t blow Thornham away but made it difficult to score and found a way to keep making breakthroughs. Dan M, Benedict H and Alec all took one apiece before George K lured the dangerman into a false shot to leave MCC in charge. The tail went hard and found a few big hits but Leo M stepped up in the death overs to take 2/16 and leave our hosts 3 short.

Away at Woodhouses, we fell 5 short in a tight chase but Max C (18), Leo M (12) and Brodie batted nicely whilst 3/1 from Benedict turned Woodhouses innings from calm and composed to absolute panic stations. At home to DSL it was Benedict (30), Haris (14) and Iris (1/7) who had DSL panicking before a monster innings from their #6 took the game away.

Then, two adrenaline inducing wins. Micklehurst won the toss, chose to bat and then did an excellent job to score 126.

Faced by a tough target, raucous Micklehurst support and red hot conditions, the U13s timed their chase to perfection. Daniel M led from the front with a 30* that encompassed two vital partnerships of 30+. The first saw Brodie nudging the ball into the gaps to allow Dan to accelerate. The second saw Dan take the supporting role as Max (23) took charge. With Dan and Max out, the finish was left up-to Alec and Iris. Alec’s unbeaten 19* came from 11 balls and included a 6 onto the bank.

Having been 2nd twice in the two league rounds, the 13s won their Summer Cup group (played in The Hundred format)

Game 1 at North Road v Glossop saw us bat first. Max (16) and Thomas F adapted well to the format before a 3fer threatened to derail our innings. William F (31*) and Dan M (16* off 14) wrestled back the initiative and we scored 101 from 100 balls. Dan M had GCC 3 down quickly. Dollie (1/20) removed their dangerous left-hander but their remaining opener looked threatening throughout his 32*.

Oliver, George and Fergus bowled tidily but Glossop rebuilt well to 75-4. However, William was unplayable in his 2nd spell with 3/8 in 10 balls. Leo took 1/7 to get Mottram 1 wicket away with Glossop needing 9 runs. Thomas F remained unflustered and with his 1st ball had the #10 caught to spark jubilation.

It was soon three Summer Cup wins in a row, with DSL finally vanquished. Benedict (21), William (32*) and Dan (30*) did the business to get us to a defendable 114.  DSL’s opener retired on 33* but we bowled with real discipline to keep plugging away and remove batters at the other end. Dan M (1/10), Iris (1/2), Benedict (1/17) and Evelyn (1/3) all claiming scalps at crucial moments as we won by 16.

Those wins secured a KO tie against Friarmere. Our hosts scored 129 batting first with a ferocious start calmed slightly by good spells from Haris (1/14) and Benedict (1/24). With the bat Friarmere’s spinners did for us and restricted us to 30 short of the required total. Benedict anchored well with 18* off 20 but William and Alec (both 16) fell when attacking and from there FCC closed out the innings well.

U13s Batting Statistics

Daniel M 221 runs @ at an average of 44.2

Benedict H 216 runs @ at an average of 36

William F 143 runs @ at an average of 15.8

U13s Bowling Statistics

William F 10 wickets @ an average of 12.50

Haris A 8 wickets @ an average of 13.38

Daniel M 7 wickets @ an average of 26.29

Under 15s

The U15s went from strength to strength as a team unit and having endured a difficult 2025, delivered 3 pleasing wins in 2026.

Early on in the Regional League, we carried on our 2025 trend of being on the wrong end of thrillers!

Week 1 saw Glossop come out as victors by 10 runs. Oliver C (3/18) put us in a strong position having restricted GCC to 100. Patrick struck a perfectly timed 40* but Glossop fought back well to dismantle our middle order. Arran, William and Thomas F ensured we batted the 20 overs but we finished just short.

At West, even finer margins as we fell 5 short! Runs out from Lucy and Patrick plus wickets for Jack, Oliver and Lucy made it a strong effort with the ball. With an 80 partnership from Patrick (45*) and Isaac (41*) things looked rosy as we hunted West’s 110 but West took control in the later overs and restricted our scoring.

On the trip to Glossop, a 19 run loss as a fine bowling performance wasn’t matched with the bat. Jack (1/9) was miserly opening up with Patrick (3/16) and Daniel M (1/15) blowing things wide open. Lucy took 1/24 late on to keep Glossop to 89. MCC though could only find 70 in response as two run outs cost us dear in the middle overs.

June saw them finish off their Regional League with defeat to DSL. Patrick (41*) and Isaac (18) did a job to put on 50 for the 1st wicket before DSL tightened up and restricted us to 101. Lucy took 2fer to curtail DSL’s momentum with the bat temporarily but they won with 5 overs to spare.

The Performance League though was where things began to click more regularly.

We started with an away win at Werneth. The hosts were bowled out for a below-par 59 thanks to a supreme effort from the MCC bowling unit. William, Patrick, Dan, Lucy and Thomas F all sharing the wickets as we blew the home side away. Dan M (12*) and Taylor keeping calm to take us home by 7 wickets.

Middleton were too strong a week later, their 161/3 always a tough ask. Lucy (2/21) and Alec (1/21) the only wicket takers. Two defeats to Glossop followed before the final game of the Performance League saw Werneth visit the MCG.

Unlike the away game, Werneth set off like a steam train and took full advantage of a rapid MCC outfield to score 146. Dan M (3/33) putting in a proper shift with the ball to stop it being even more. With the run rate steep from ball one, we had no choice but to attack. Patrick (42* off 19) did exactly that, seeing us go at 10 an over for the first five.

Once Patrick was retired, Taylor W took over and batted with supreme control to score a run a ball 41* and take the game deep. Alongside him Isaac (13) and William (12*) ensured Werneth never got any peace, and with 3 overs left Taylor found a gap to win it and ran bat aloft to receive acclaim from his team mates.

We took the positive momentum from that win into the first game of the Summer Cup. Up first were Droylsden and the 15s secured an 8 wicket win. The visitors were progressing serenely until Jack H bowled the opener to have them 27-1. They rebuilt to 60 and were looking to accelerate when Alec changed the game inside 3 overs. His vicious inswing was too hot to handle, he took a hat-trick and removed the remaining opener to reduce DCC to 61-5. They finished on 86. Dan M’s 41* from 36 was the backbone of our chase as we got home with 10 balls to spare.

With our game against Woodhouses unable to take place, there was only 1 other Summer Cup fixture completed.

A youthful 15s side containing 1 x U11 and 5 x U13s acquitted itself well at Friends but was out-done by a powerful batting line-up. Patrick (40*) and Dan M (25) did a commendable job opening up on a tricky wicket to get us to 80 with cameos at the end from Taylor, Jack and William nudging us to 97. A direct hit from Patrick removed an opener when Friends had just 11 on the board but their remaining batters kept calm and built their innings well. They passed our 98 with plenty to spare.

U15s Batting Statistics

Patrick H 276 runs @ at an average of 69

Daniel M 162 runs @ at an average of 32.4

Isaac T 115 runs @ at an average of 14.3

U15s Bowling Statistics

Lucy GB 7 wickets @ an average of 20.57

Patrick H 7 wickets @ an average of 25.14

Daniel M 7 wickets @ an average of 26.29

Under 18s

2026 was a disjointed campaign for the U18s with opponents regularly unable to field a side due to exam enforced unavailability. The GMCL have acknowledged the U18 age-group competition needs additional focus ahead of 2027 which will hopefully see us play more regular cricket.

After a number of false starts, there was one fixture across all of April and May. A trip down the M60 to Flixton where a first 50* retirement in the U18s for Thomas N and C Green’s 18 got us to 112. Lucas castled the opener for 10 but from there Flixton hunted the total down aggressively only 1 down.

England World Cup fixtures, opponents conceding and the weather then conspired to mean only 2 more games were played in June and July. Both ended in defeat. Against Woodley Lucas F took 2/27 with Oliver C, Thomas F and Thomas H all bagging 1 wicket apiece as WCC scored 140. Stan saw us start well with a breezy 13 off 9 but from there wickets fell regularly as we reached 50. Two weeks later, we were all out for 27 at Greenfield against a hostile attack. Lucas took 3/4 but GCC had plenty to spare when they reached our target.  

Only one Summer Cup group game took place with the other two conceded by our opponents. The one that did take place saw Woodley run out winners in a high-scoring affair. Mottram’s 108 was spearheaded by a finely built 50* from James S but was dwarfed by our opponents 180.

Our final game was a second battle with Greenfield, this time in the Summer Cup KO round. Lucas (1/24), Callum (1/17) and Thomas H (1/7) were in the wickets but GCC were in fine fettle and scored 200 from their 100 balls. Having recently been bundled out cheaply by Greenfield, our 101 from 200 balls was a much improved showing. Charlie G opening up with 20 settling us into the innings.

U18s Batting Statistics (includes Flixton CC friendly)

Thomas N 55 runs @ at an average of 18.3

James S 51 runs @ at an average of 25.5

Charlie G 38 runs @ at an average of 12.6

U18s Bowling Statistics (includes Flixton CC friendly)

Lucas F 6 wickets @ an average of 11.3

Thomas F 1 wicket @ an average of 5

Thomas H 1 wickets @ an average of 10

Girls Hardball Team

For the Girls Hardball Team, there is only one place to start which is their unexpected and thrilling run to a Cup Final.

It all started in the Quarters v Georgians. Maisie with 2/14 and Erin bagging 2/6 did the job with the ball. Thea, Erin, Maisie and Lyra all batted without losing a wicket in Pairs 2 and 3, enabling Megan and Iris to guide us to victory stress free at the end.

From there, they roared into the Cup Final with a splendid win on the road at Sale. Having opted to bowl, Evelyn took a wicket with the 2nd ball of the game to set a brilliant tone. She took 3/10 and Iris 4/10 as we consistently hit troubling lines and lengths. Sale’s 4th pair were fine batters and despite 1 apiece for Megan and Lucy they got them up to 260.

In response, we lost only two wickets. Charlotte D set a strong tone in Pair 1, Charlotte F nurdled well to keep the board ticking and then a well-timed 13* from Megan eased the pressure and allowed us to block out the final overs and secure the win.

The final v Lindow was held at The MCG, despite the best efforts of the rain. Having abandoned one attempt to play, we eventually found a Sunday to give it the proper MCC Cup Final treatment. Lindow are a well-established and formidable force in the girls game and they had too much for us on the day as they ran out winners by 45 runs. With the ball Megan (2/7), Lucy (1/9) and Dollie (1/12) had kept us in the running but LCC bounced back to score 283. It felt a tall order to chase and despite a late salvo from Lucy (21) and Iris (13) it proved to be a touch too much.

Final disappointment aside, the team acquitted themselves well across the season and our league efforts provided plenty of highlights. Three wins across the league clashes in our 1st season in the competition is an outcome we’d have taken at the start of the summer.

Our 1st ever fixture was at a sunny MCG against an accomplished Didsbury side. MCC lost by 30 but equipped ourselves well with Megan’s 2/6 a quality display of bowling. A first girls Hardball win wasn’t too far behind, with Wythenshawe defeated by 14 runs. Wythenshawe’s batting line-up started like a steam train with 40 off 4 overs before Thea (1/14), Evelyn (2/10) and Megan (1/3) saw us come roaring back to keep them to 264.

After a tough start to the innings, Thea and Lydia steadied us before Iris Mellor went into full T10 mode, smashing 35 off 16 to set up a captivating finish. Evelyn (13*) and Megan (11*) taking us home.

After that a block of a few weeks where we came up short despite encouraging performances. Lydia’s 2/16 kept Timperley on their toes and Stockport Georgians looked there for the taking when Maisie (1/2), Megan (1/9) and Lucy (1/3) kept them to 240 but their bowling attack just had too much for us.

Against Brooklands CC, Iris (1/11) and Thea (1/22) the only wicket takers as the visitors raced to 329. Lyra scampered her way to a tidy 13* and Megan also got 13* in Pair 4 but 273 was well short. Cheadle scored 268 even with Megan (2/6) again in metronomic form and Charlotte D difficult to get away for 1/10. We batted with patience but lacked the hitting power needed to score 70 against a tidy attack.

Whilst the wins weren’t flowing, the team was competing and were confident victories would follow. Two more soon did.  We beat Prestbury at home in a nervy encounter. Batting first, we were very disciplined losing only two wickets. Erin and Lydia batted tidily in the middle order with Lucy’s 10* taking us to 251. Iris’ 2/7 set the tone before Megan (2/2) and Dollie (3/14) blew a hole in Prestbury’s chase.

In the final league game v Lindow, Mottram lost only 1 wicket as we set an imposing 301. A sturdy opening salvo from Dollie and Charlotte D was built on nicely by Pairs 2 and 3 with Lydia playing some beautiful shots. Megan and Lucy added 30 for the last wicket. Lindow’s opener smoked it but our bowling was tight and they were always below the rate. Forced to go for it in Pair 4 they fell victim to Megan (lovely caught and bowled) and Lucy (3fer) who ensured us of victory.

Girls Hardball Batting Statistics

Megan M 102 runs @ at an average of 34

Lucy GB 95 runs @ at an average of 31.6

Iris M 92 runs @ at an average of 30.6

Girls Hardball Bowling Statistics

Megan M 12 wickets @ an average of 7.50

Iris M 8 wickets @ an average of 11.25

Evelyn R 6 wickets @ an average of 14.83

Girls Softball Team

The Girls Softball Team won 3 of their last 4 to secure 3rd in the final standings.

The first half of the season garnered 2 wins and 2 losses. Heaton Mersey had no match for Megan’s domineering 25* and Georgians ran headfirst into match-winning batting performances from Dollie (17 off 13) and Iris (15 off 12). Hayfield brushed past us at The MCG where our score of 236 never looked enough even if Erin (2/6), Evelyn (2/11) and Charlotte D (1/6) kept them at bay for long periods of the 2nd innings.

Our last outing of May was a heartbreaking 2 run loss to Marple where 305 plays 303 was the name of the game in a high scoring thriller. Charlotte F (1/4) bowled tidily but a late flurry of boundaries gave Marple an imposing score to defend. Dollie (12 off 10) gave it some Timpson but Iris and Megan needed 50 to win when they came to the crease for their 4 overs. Iris (22) and Megan (11) plus extras meant we needed 4 to win from the final ball but only 1 was manageable as Marple hung on.

Against Hayfield, our batting never got going as the league leaders won by 46. Maisie’s 2/7 looked to have kept us in it, but with the bat only Iris (14) was able to fire.  From there though, we kicked on nicely. A 40 run win v Georgians was built on the wicket taking prowess of Erin (2/11), Thea (2/10) and Evelyn (1/4). With Georgians also bowling nicely things got twitchy for a while but Megan (34*) and Evelyn put on 50 in Pair 4 to ease us home. Heaton Mersey were defeated by 60, Maisie once again in superb bowling form taking 4/10, Charlotte D chipping in with 2/15 and Charlotte F scoring 15* opening up.

The final softball league action saw the team win by 49 away at Marple. Dollie (1/14) took a stunner of a catch off her own bowling, Erin took 2/16 and Maisie 2/18. Chasing 243, we lost only 3 wickets with Charlotte F (15*) and Iris M (28) extinguishing Marple’s hopes of defending their score.

Girls Softball Batting Statistics

Iris M 112 runs @ at an average of 28

Megan M 105 runs @ at an average of 52.5

Dollie H 80 runs @ at an average of 13.33

Girls Softball Bowling Statistics

Erin Kilbane 10 wickets @ an average of 7.40

Maisie S 10 wickets @ an average of 8.40

Megan M 9 wickets @ an average of 13.11