The 1st Team kicked off their campaign against Cherry Tree Cricket Club, who won the toss and elected to field. Ribblesdale started positively with the bat, but three quick wickets reduced them to 36-3. Heshan and Ryan then steadied the innings, pushing the score to 90 before Heshan fell to a caught-and-bowled with brilliant low grab. Another quick wicket left Ribblesdale struggling at 91-5—enter the skipper! Bilal joined Ryan, and the pair batted well together, taking the score to 144 before Ryan was dismissed. Bilal then took charge, attacking the bowlers as he marshalled the tail. He struck a brilliant fifty, including four sixes, before finally being caught going for another big hit. Ribblesdale finished their innings at 171 all out in 40 overs.
Chasing a competitive total, Cherry Tree got off to the worst possible start, losing a wicket in the very first over to Ian Britcliffe (0-1). However, their pro and skipper rebuilt the innings before both fell in quick succession—Heshan and Ian claiming the wickets—leaving Cherry Tree at 79-3. With tight bowling from Heshan and Ian, Cherry Tree struggled to accelerate. After Ian completed his excellent 12-over spell, Waqar came on with his off-spin, while the pro picked up two quick wickets to leave Cherry Tree at 128-5.The Pro finished with impressive figures: 15 overs, 4 maidens, 35 runs, and 3 wickets. Enter Michael Worthy, who struck twice, clean-bowling two batsmen and putting Ribblesdale back in the contest. At the other end, Waqar also claimed two wickets, leaving Cherry Tree reeling at 169-9. Needing just one run to win with their last pair at the crease, Cherry Tree scrambled a quick single—Michael Worthy nearly pulled off a spectacular run-out to tie the game, but the batters made it through, securing a nail-biting 1-wicket victory
Despite the loss, it was a thrilling contest for spectators, with plenty of positives for the 1st Team and the new skipper to build on!
