It was a glorious Thursday evening in South Wakefield as Selby CC U11’s travelled to Pledwick to face a semi-final fixture that had added pressure, as the U13’s had already booked their place in the Cup Final the previous week.

The Selby team including Captain Jack won the toss and decided to bowl first. They wanted to know what they had to chase in their first ever – “proper cricket” game, where there was no pairs and no retirement scores! When you’re out you’re out!

They took to the field with the new ball in hand and set about the task of keeping wides to a minimum and targeting the stumps – wickets were the aim and wickets they got! Pledwick started well with two seasoned U11’s providing a stern test to the Selby Youth – putting on 17 without loss off the 4 overs from the opening bowlers. That’s when the tide turned - Selby brought on Stan Bugg for what turned out to be a fine spell of quick left arm bowling. He removed both openers in 3 fine overs including a caught and bowled and one crashing through all 3 stumps to raucous applause from the players and crowd. Bugg finished with 3 overs 5 runs for 2 wickets Selby now on top kept up the pace and bowling in tandem with Bugg, Aaron Jones bowled 2 overs for 3 runs and had the number 3 batter removed with middle stump being toppled. The wickets kept falling as Pledwick faltered under immense pressure from Selby side. James Stead taking 3 wickets, Aaron Jellet taking another 2 and Riley Bugg (no relation) taking the final wicket to leave Pledwick with a total of 58 all out.

The U11’s now had a different challenge in front of them, can they value their wickets and make a challenge to reach the final to face either Frickley CC or Ackworth CC, both openers George Wells and Seth Wratten strode out to the middle having not had to contribute in the 1st innings bowling display, now had the weight of the club on their young shoulders. Could they do it!

The pressure was non existent as both Wells and Wratten were immense as they stuck the ball to all parts, playing shots that Lara and Tendulker would have been happy with as they put on a 1st wicket partnership of 50 and took their U11 team mates to within touching distance of the final. It was a shame when Wratten was bowled for 9 by the returning captain Zach Heslop. Up stepped the Selby Captain – Jack Hunter with only 9 needed he destroyed two balls to the boundary to make light work of the Pledwick bowling attack. Selby finishing on 59/1 in only 9.1 overs of the required 20. Outstanding batting from George Wells finishing on 18 Not Out and Hunter on 8 Not out.

After the disappointing few weeks for the U11’s in the league – there is double delight for the club as both junior teams are in the cup final – Date and Ground TBA