With Brooklands fielding a very young and inexperienced side it was agreed that rather than playing an ‘official’ plate semi-final, a mixed team friendly would be of more use to both teams. As a result Mellor go through to the Plate final to play a combined Cheadle Hulme/Norbury side.

For the first half coach Howie therefore loaned Brooklands four of Mellor’s stronger players, those being Robbie, Eddie, Miles P and Finn, leaving Mellor with 12 players and giving some of the younger boys an opportunity to step up to the plate in the older boys’ absence. In addition, Henry started his first game for Mellor in defence, so a suitable game in which to make his debut.

The first quarter went Mellor’s way with Sammy continuing his fine recent form scoring three goals and James K chipping in with a brace. Brooklands got two, including one from Miles P to make it 5-2 at quarter time. Second quarter was much more even, finishing three a piece with goals again from James K (two) and Sammy. Eddie got one for Brooklands and it was 8 - 5 at half time.

John mixed it up again for the second half, with James K, Charlie, James S and Ellis this time swapping to Brooklands. Mellor scored another four in the quarter, from Finn x2, Miles P and Sammy again. Brooklands got one back from Charlie. Into the last quarter and a goal from Eddie made it a final score of 13 - 6.

Overall a good run out, particularly for our year 6 boys who performed well without some of their more experienced team mates. Hopefully also useful for what is a clearly developing Brooklands side.