With one win needed from three games to put the 4s in an unassailable position at the top of the league, there was a real buzz of excitement at Didsbury at the prospect of winning the title at home. Good weather, a league umpire, livestream on, it was all set up for it to be a great day. The 4s would have a bowl first.

Ben Lowe and Dillon Harris, who have both bowled some memorable spells this year to win Didsbury games, had the task of starting us off. A steady start from Ashley saw them reach 27/0 after just 5 overs, but Ben got the 4s rolling with a sharp caught-behind by LJ Grimbaldeston, and a swinging full delivery that crashed into the stumps an over or two later. Luuk Hughes came on to replace Dillon, and was instantly on the money, picking up a wicket, another good catch by LJ. Luuk was extremely unlucky not to pick up more wickets but his figures of 10-2-19-1 shows the control and discipline he bowled with as he forced them to take on the bowlers at the other end who reaped the benefit of his miserly bowling. Evan Turner bowling from the other end found turn and bounce, finding two wickets, a good catch by Mike Renison and a fired-through quicker ball to bowl another. Jack Prince would remove the set batsman, and then Dillon came back on with a bang. Bowling their captain with a fast inswinger. Next ball, a feather of an edge behind to LJ. Two in two. Then the perfect ball to bowl, leg stump yorker, bowled. Hat-trick. Unbelievable. Another magic spell from Dillon, who has produced several match winning performances this year. He'd pick up another wicket to top his day off, finishing with 4-13. Didsbury required 112 to win the league.

Mike and Ringo set about the chase with thunderous boundaries, launching a salvo of shots to the rope putting to bed any nerves that Didsbury might have had chasing a low total. A brilliant 75 run partnership together by two of the 4s senior heads was a fantastic way to top off a season where our batting has been so dominant. Ringo fell just shy of 50, bringing Evan to the crease. Evan tried his best to get Mike to his 50, unselfishly giving the strike back and blocking back overs, but sadly it was in vain as cruelly four byes would finish the chase. But that end would not dull the celebrations, as the win meant the fours were clear at the top as champions.

An outstanding year, a longer report will follow after the season going, but quickly I would like to thank all the people that have played a game for the fours whether it was one game or all. The cricket we have played this year has been incredible, we have been by far the superior team in all facets of the game. We have thoroughly deserved to win the league, and the extremely kind messages I received from many other captains and teams that we have played against have shared that message as well. The attitude we have held all year has been the embodiment of the values we hold as a club, and clearly that has been well received and respected by the other clubs. To win the league with a side dominated by junior players in both number and performance makes me immensely proud and the reason I enjoy captaining for our club. Thank you all. The 4s have no game next Sunday, as we will be watching the 3s T20 Finals Day at Didsbury! We continue against Grappenhall the week after that.