A fantastic season for the Second Xl combining talented youngsters and experienced campaigners to find a fine blend. A fourth place finish could have been better but some excellent cricket was played throughout.

The first side to take the field way back in April contained six players under the age of 20 with Matty Brayne, Noah Vickery and Reg Wyatt cementing their places with some great performances as well as George Metcalf who scored his maiden 100. Tom Wyatt and Charlie Fleet were promoted quickly to the first team where both made significant contributions to a successful campaign.

Two defeats to start with but Matt Brayne stepped up to 2Xl cricket in fine style bagging his first five wicket haul away at Oulton Park. It was during an undefeated May that things really got going. The highlight being an excellent victory away at Grappenhall in the t20 cup defending 122 to bowl the opposition out for 108. Charlie Fleet outstanding with the new ball taking four quick wickets before Alex Townend finished things off with another three. Special mention to Tommy Evans for an inspired display behind the stumps that night.

In the league games, Ian Metcalf and Dil were in the runs but Reg's maiden 50 in an emphatic win at Macclesfield was a real crowd pleaser as was the 113 not out that George scored at Nantwich in a drawn game which could easily have gone our way (if only George had had any energy left!).

As well as the youngsters proving to be fine players, the older guard were doing their bit too. Robin Fisher took four five wicket hauls in 4four weeks including 5 for 1 against Alderley Edge and Dan Riley was accumulating wickets at the other end with some clever slow bowling.

As the season wore on, Noah scored his first 50 having finally passed 28 which seemed to have him befuddled for most of the year! His fine 60 against Macclesfield at home saw him prove how good a player he is. Batting with and learning from the evergreen Ian Metcalf who scored an effortless 95 not out, Noah played beautifully and set the platform for an 80 run victory - Fishy with another five wickets!

Defeat to Neston in the t20 cup after having again defended a low score at Oxton was a tough pill to swallow. Still in the game until the last three balls when Joe Hornby whacked 12 and ended the cup for another year.

Two fantastic away victories differing in style but both nail biting in their own ways were key wins in July. Recovering from 0-3 at Alderley Edge, Eddie Roberts 50 and Ian Metcalf 33 saw the 2's post a meagre 123 but Sam Mallows 4 -25 blew the explosive top order away before Dan and Fishy again finished things off to win by nearly 40 runs. Crazy game...but not nearly as nail biting as Didsbury away. Having been set 182 to win courtesy of another four wickets from Sam, the top order threw things away and with well over 100 needed, it looked bleak at seven down. Dan (30) and Ian (23) began to salvage some respectability but both perished. Nine down and 50 needed. Ice-men Brayno (9*) and Robin Fisher (37*) saw us over the line to the disbelief and joy of all concerned. The value of experience at the end demonstrated in full although young Matty Brayne did a fine job.

A run of home games saw four without victory. Losses to Neston and Nantwich the low points but Reg Wyatt back and keeping wicket in the absence of Joe Pin-Pong Killoran. Reg is a great team player and his wholehearted efforts behind the stumps epitomized his great attitude.

Another loss at home to Macclesfield - who ended up relegated - but young Joe Maddocks came in and took five wickets. A win at last at Grappenhall and Dil scored a fabulous 123*.

The season ended with two fine victories and Noah, Reg and Dil in the runs again. The game was again a nail biter as the Ice-Men (Fishy and Brayno) and again held their nerves to get over the line as Wiggy heroically launched the winning six for another win nine down.

A season of fine away wins but some home defeats. Plenty to build on and areas in which we can look to improve. The youngsters making a real impact on a thoroughly enjoyable season - always a great atmosphere in the side which makes Saturdays all the more enjoyable. Next season seems a way off now but these youngsters are good and the likes of Jake Liddle, Ben Spaven and Matt Hodges waiting in the wings, they will only improve.