The new season had dawned, and in better weather than most of Mellor’s cricket fixtures had enjoyed over the summer, an embarrassment of parents (yes that is the collective noun - rather aptly) gathered to watch their treasured ones play Timperley away on the Astro. It’s fair to say that last year Timperley had caused us some problems, having been the only side to have beaten our boys, and the omens weren’t good when Ollie awoke in the middle of the previous night due to a nightmare vision of #56 battering through our defences yet again.

However, on to the game, the boys started brilliantly with Charlie scoring from a solo run, then Miles, with an assist from Cam, and Charlie again to put us 3 to nil up before anyone could catch their breath. Timperley must have wondered what had hit them. However, credit to the opposition who gathered themselves well and hit back with two goals against the new and slightly disorganised Mellor defence to make it 3 - 2 after Q1.

To say Mellor were immense in the second quarter is probably an understatement. Six unanswered goals took the game away from Timperley with Miles bagging another direct from their keeper, then Charlie again following a smart pass from Seb. Miles solo run to score then good groundball win from Sammy and on to score himself. Even when new boy Ed F was taken off for a penalty minute for cross checking the boys didn’t concede, with Ollie and Henry H holding firm, and a great save from Daniel keeping Timperley out. Before the quarter ended Dylan got his first and Miles scored again from a solo run. It was 9 - 2 at half time.

John used the second half to give some of the newer players a bit more game time, Henry R coming on for Ed, and Noah and Leo contributing to attack. The quarter started with Miles scoring again from face off then Timperley pulled one back before Cam scored, assisted by Dyl, and then Charlie again, this time Cam assisting. It was 12 - 3 at this point and huge credit to Timperley, they did not give up and pulled three back with some excellent strong solo runs barging through the Mellor defence, so 12 - 6 with a quarter to go, although Mellor had lost the quarter 4 - 3.

Mellor started Q4 strongly with three quick goals (miles from face off - boy has he got the hang of that !), Cam for his second of the match and Charlie again. Timperley pulled one back then Cameron got a nice solo goal and another from Miles (straight from face off again !) before Timperley pulled two back at the end to make it a final score of 17 - 9.

Terrific start to the season with Miles and Charlie on fire, the undoubted men of the match !