19/08/2026
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Altofts development team vs Barwick In Elmet Cricket Club
Altofts rounded off an excellent debut season in the Mid-Yorkshire Cricket Sunday League with a thrilling 14-run victory away at Barwick in Elmet.
Fresh from returning to winning ways, Altofts arrived determined to finish the 2026 campaign on a high. With the youngest player in the side, Billy Bryant, captaining the team on the field, Altofts got off to the perfect start when he won the toss and elected to bat.
Openers Oliver Hopwood and Jack O'Malley (sponsored by KR Construction) began the innings against an unusual opening bowling attack. Despite Oliver crunching the first ball of the match away for four, Barwick's surprise bowling choice soon paid dividends as Oliver fell early.
Elliot Hopwood joined Jack at the crease and together the pair calmly rebuilt the innings. Mixing sensible shot selection with positive intent, they added an excellent 64-run partnership for the second wicket to put Altofts back in control. Elliot contributed a well-made 25 from 26 deliveries before departing with the score moving along nicely.
Barwick fought back well, tightening their bowling and picking up a couple of quick wickets to leave Altofts wobbling at 85-4. However, Jack O'Malley and Jayden Darbyshire (sponsored by Hideaway treehouse retreat) responded superbly, combining intelligent running with some classy boundary hitting to wrestle back the momentum.
Jack brought up his second half-century of the season in impressive fashion and looked set for an even bigger score before an unfortunate catch behind down the leg side ended a fine innings of 52. Once again Barwick sensed an opportunity and struck with a cluster of wickets, reducing Altofts to 148-8.
Jayden Darbyshire continued to battle hard alongside his Under-13s coach Craig Bryant (sponsored by Tech Clad Ltd), adding a valuable 19 runs for the ninth wicket. Jayden's excellent knock of 32 finally came to an end at the hands of Barwick's standout bowler. In the closing overs, Craig Bryant and Daniel Hayes added some crucial late runs, guiding Altofts to a competitive total of 187-9, with Craig finishing unbeaten on 21 and Daniel 6 not out.
Defending 188 to win, Altofts took to the field full of energy and determination. Opening bowlers Jayden Darbyshire and Elliot Hopwood applied immediate pressure, but Barwick's opening pair dug in well before the breakthrough finally arrived in dramatic fashion.
In a sensational over, Jayden removed one opener before dismissing the new batter with the very next ball. The hat-trick opportunity had Altofts buzzing, but despite a carefully set field, the batter survived. Jayden wasn't finished there though, and with Jack O'Malley holding a sharp catch, he completed a superb three-wicket over that swung the game firmly in Altofts' favour.
Inspired by the breakthrough, wickets continued to tumble. Elliot Hopwood, William Grantham and Billy Bryant all joined the party as Altofts reduced Barwick to 96-7 and appeared to have one hand on victory.
But cricket is never that simple.
A determined innings from one of Barwick's senior players reignited the contest and gradually chipped away at Altofts' advantage. With the target edging ever closer and the margin reduced to just 27 runs, the game was very much back in the balance.
The defining moment arrived in the field. Harvey Lewis produced a brilliant piece of work before combining with the lightning-quick gloves of Scott Hayes to run out the dangerous batter and swing momentum back Altofts' way.
With victory in sight, Elliot Hopwood returned to the attack to finish the job. The remaining wickets soon followed, and fittingly the final act of the season saw Daniel Hayes take the catch that secured a hard-fought 14-run victory.
A fantastic team performance and the perfect way to end what has been an outstanding first season in the Mid-Yorkshire Cricket Sunday League. Well played, lads!
Scorecard: https://altofts.play-cricket.com/website/results/7492368
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๐ Shirt Sponsors: MXC mot tests and repair centre, Tech Clad Ltd., PB Scaffold Design Ltd McTigue Funeral Directors, The Normanton Freeston Foundation Trustee Limited and KPM Fire
