MOTTRAM enjoyed a successful debut season in the Covid-19 disrupted Greater Manchester Cricket League.
The new boys finished top of regionalised division B and ahead of Werneth, Hadfield St Andrews, Dukinfield, Ashton and Droylsden.
And there was further joy for Mottram in the Friday night T15 competition as Red Star Mottram, as they were known, were runners-up to Glossop in group D that also comprised Dukinfield Stags, Denton Saints and Denton Daredevils.
“We were delighted how our first season went. We played well and enjoyed what has been a good move from the Derbyshire and Cheshire League,” explained cricket secretary Phil Mellor.
“It was only a short season through coronavirus, but it gave us an opportunity to see where we are at.
“We realise it will be harder next season when all clubs will have professionals, but it holds no fears.”
Phil added it was a step up with regards to the standard of the cricket.
“There are a few good teams in the Derbyshire and Cheshire League, but more teams are better in the GMCL,” he said.
And there were some exceptional individual performances from Mottram players.
Andy Metcalfe won the divisional batting award with Danny Brightmore runner-up and captain Stefan Fielding fourth.
Brightmore won the division’s bowling award with his best return six wickets for nine runs against Hadfield St Andrews.
Mottram were also delighted with crowds which were far larger than they have been in previous years.
“I don’t know whether that is down to the Covid situation or playing in a higher standard of cricket, but we have had a lot of people watching games and have taken a lot more money at matches,” he said.
Dukinfield finished fourth in division B and third in group D of the T15 when they were known as Dukinfield Stags.
Denton St Lawrence were a distant second to Woodhouses in division A while, as Denton Saints, were fourth in group D of the T15.
Woodhouses won nine of their 10 league games, the remaining one was abandoned as they amassed 47 points, 16 clear of Saints who won five of their matches. Denton West were third.
Micklehurst also had a successful season finishing runners-up in division B.
They had an identical record to winners Saddleworth with seven wins and two losses from nine games.
Saddleworth edged ahead by collecting three bonus points to Micklehurst’s two.
Micklehurst Mad Dogs were third in group G of the T15.
While Denton finished fifth in the six-team division A and bottom of their T15 group, the season still had positives.
Club official Tom Stenson said: “Our first team competed well in a regionalised division made up of teams from higher up the usual league structure.
“We secured three very good league wins. There were some very good individual performances, as well as great efforts by lads who stepped up as they wouldn’t usually have played first-team cricket in normal circumstances.
“Our second team finished in a similar position, although it could have been much better, with three games being lost by three wickets or less.
“There was some valuable game time for juniors, as well as club members who stepped up to help the club yet again.”