Wirksworth and Middleton Under 12’s clinched the league title last wednesday night in imperious fashion, beating a good Buxton side convincingly to win the league with a game to spare.

In bucolic surroundings, all eight players contributed to maintain their unbeaten season. Sunlit uplands beckon if the team can ace the league and cup ‘double’ on Thursday against Denby at the home of (Wirksworth and Middleton) cricket.

A characteristic Buxton chill greeted the team as they walked out. None of the boys noticed but wise parents wrapped-up whilst the naïve shivered in t-shirts. Described by Hugh ‘glass-half-empty’ Newsome as a “cliff-face”, Buxton’s second ground did present a mild slope for Joey Ashley-Hall to open the bowling up. Bowling in crampons seemed to suit him though, as he and Theo established a pattern of penury which set the tone for the innings. Eager to escape the opening bowlers’ vice-like grip, Buxton’s batters went after the first change pair, James Love and Josh Marshall who each responded by skittling stumps with their fist balls. Daniel Moon bowled with laconic left arm grace and Rory Young unselfishly bowled himself up the hill to keep the pressure on, allowing Toby Newsome to take a further wickets towards the end of the innings. Isaac Woolsey’s brave keeping left him bruised but unbowed. Buxton’s net score of 130 was boosted towards the end by Henry Annison’s cavalier strokeplay, but it always looked like a total W&M could chase down.

Greeted by a sun halo (questions to resident meteorology officianado, Anna Young) the opening batsmen Ashley-Hall and Love set about the chase. Extensive work by batting coach (and all-round cricket guru) Martin Forster saw an improved Ashley-Hall open with upright, committed confidence. Love smashed the ball towards the boundary from the first over with abandon. As is usual this season, all the boys batted well. Theo and Woolsey’s running between the wickets was exciting and Marshall’s square cutting was beautiful to watch. Moon hit the ball behind square well whilst Young and Newsome finished with some textbook driving through the ‘V’.

So, the champions were crowned and the celebratory jelly-babies were uncorked. Newsome remains tight-lipped about the potential of this team. They have made huge strides this year as other teams parents and coaches have acknowledged. Victory in the cup final would be fitting testament to a great season.

Jos "Scoop" Ashley