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To all reps and junior coaches

Congratulations to Euxton C.C. Under 17s who, in their first year in the Under 17 competition, are this season’s Rose Trophy winners.

The number 88 symbolises fortune and good luck in Chinese culture and is now, no doubt, the favourite number of the Euxton following having seen their side successfully chased down scores of 88 in both their semi-final AND final.

In Euxton’s morning semi-final held at Thornton Cleveleys C.C. the hosts posted the first 88 runs of the day against a strong Euxton bowling attack. Captain, Joshua Sackfield was Thornton Cleveleys mainstay with 36 runs. In reply only Euxton’s Arron Boyden, with an excellent 40 runs, scored double figures and it was left to a last wicket partnership by Harry Ashcroft and Ben Cooper to see Euxton over the line. Joshua Sackfield again excelled for Thornton Cleveleys with 4 wickets for 13 runs.

In the other semi-final held at Fleetwood C.C. opponents Longridge C.C. batted first and a mixture of good batting, N.B. Joshua Stamford retired at 50 n.o. and poor Fleetwood catching saw them post a competitive total of 141 for 6 wickets. In reply an excellent opening partnership by Charlie Clark (26) and Will Gair (39) gave strong foundations to Fleetwood’s reply and, despite some excellent Longridge fielding (2 run outs) and economical spells from their slow bowlers, Fleetwood won by 6 wickets with 2 overs to spare. Michael Wilson (42 n.o.) batted very impressively and sensibly for Fleetwood.

Excellent hospitality at both Thornton Cleveleys and Fleetwood ensured all four semi-finalists were well fed and watered before Euxton made their way over to Fleetwood for the final in the afternoon.

Fleetwood batted first in the final and, unlike their semi-final, both openers fell cheaply. Despite another good knock from Michael Wilson (37) and 17 runs from Joe Thomson, Fleetwood were restricted to a ‘spooky’ 88 runs for 9 wickets off their 20 overs. The Euxton team all bowled and fielded extremely well and special mention must go to Ben Houghton who took an exceptional diving catch in the deep (in the context of the game possibly a match winning catch?)

In reply Euxton batted sensibly against some good Fleetwood bowling particularly Ben Houghton who scored 29. Despite constant pressure from Fleetwood it looked like Euxton, with 3 overs to go, 7 wickets in hand and only half a dozen runs required, were this year’s champions. It was then, from my privileged position of umpiring at the bowler’s end, that I witnessed an exceptional over of fast bowling from Oliver Haddow who proceeded to bowl a 4 wicket maiden over, all clean bowled including a Hat-Trick!  To the credit of James Bone (Euxton Captain), who had to witness the collapse helpless at the non-strikers end, he hit a boundary the next over and victory was soon in the bag. This capped an excellent match for James who had led maturely with both bat and ball.

The award for performance of the day went to Oliver Haddow for overall match figures of 4 overs, 5 wickets, 12 runs.

Big congratulations to Euxton C.C. but also a big thank you to all four clubs who contributed to an excellent final’s day, their players, coaches, scorers, parents etc. who all contribute throughout the season without seeking, or receiving, the recognition they deserve.  

Special mention again to our excellent hosts, Thornton Cleveleys C.C. and Fleetwood C.C. and also the Umpires, Trevor Wilde and Alex Diver, who stood in the semi-finals, and Wally Foster who stood in both a semi-final and the final.

John Conway

Junior Chairman, Palace Shield