08/08/2026
🏏Match reports Saturday 1st 🏏
Written by Matt R
Day 1 – The Weekend of the Bridge
Good morning, sports fans… and what a Saturday it was for Mexborough 1st XI vs Stainbridge.
The early anticipation of the first game of the season was building on a beautiful Saturday as skipper Lee “Leeroy” Jeffers awaited the arrival of the team. With a glint in his eye, he approached the toss — and, with the grace of a baby deer, somehow Mexborough found themselves bowling first.
Stainbridge Innings
Opening the bowling was Jonathan “Always Right” Guest, steaming in with grace and purpose, causing problems straight away with his classic setups. At the other end was Matthew “Bob” Russell.
Russell couldn’t quite find his line early on, finishing his first spell with 6 overs, 1 wicket for 43, although he did pick up the breakthrough.
Guesty, though, showed his class, claiming the next four wickets and finishing with a superb:
10 overs, 3 maidens, 27 runs, 4 wickets
A fine spell from the smug git.
There was also a moment of brilliance from Charlie Ashton, taking an incredible catch at point.
Then up stepped the man, the myth, the legend — Lee “Was County 2s” Jeffers.
Did he show his class? Of course he did.
Playing mind games even with his own run-up — was it 15 steps? Was it 4? Not even Lee knew.
But he pinned them back and caused all sorts of problems:
10 overs, 3 maidens, 29 runs, 2 wickets
Supported by some sharp catching from Russell.
Then it was time for Ashley “He’s Now In My Life For Good” Firth to step up, tying things down with his mystery bowling. No wickets, but plenty of issues caused:
4 overs, 29 runs, 0 wickets
Then came Nicolas “Iron Claw” Cashmore to show how it’s done… he didn’t.
Still, he held things up:
4 overs, 25 runs, 0 wickets
Back came Russell for a second spell — and suddenly discovered bowling straight and full works.
Who knew?
He picked up three more wickets to finish with:
8.5 overs, 2 maidens, 49 runs, 4 wickets
Costly at times, but crucial wickets, leaving Stainbridge all out for 184.
Mexborough Reply
“What’s a bat? Oh… that’s how you use it.”
Lee and Ethan opened the batting, both struggling with the raw pace… and the 90-degree slope.
Jeffers: 1 off 6
Ethan: 2 off 10
Then Steve “Too Nice” Addy and Gaz “Loves His Own Voice” Hughes dug in for 14 apiece.
While Steve battled away, Gaz fell victim to the ever-present slope.
Brad “Can Catch” Sharpe added a tough 11 off 33, sticking around with Steve.
Then JB stepped up…
Wait — who is this guy? Wasn’t he meant to bowl?
Let’s rewind…
JB returned to cricket with gusto and purpose. During the fielding innings, while chasing a cover drive, he decided his face was a perfectly valid option to stop the ball. It turns out his breakdancing skills weren’t much to show off either, and he hurt his knee in the process.
Back to batting.
With bravery in his eye and walking like a sniper’s nightmare, he came out to score runs…
He did not.
Out for 0.
On we go.
Charlie “Did He Speak?” Ashton and Ashley “In My Life For Good” Firth stepped up.
And step up they did.
Both dug in and showed exactly why they’re in the team.
Charlie: 16 off 40
Ash: 27 off 28
Their partnership put Mexborough on track to gain valuable points.
Cashmore tried… got 1.
Needing 84 to win off 7 overs, Mexborough understood the assignment wasn’t about chasing victory — it was about batting smart and securing points.
At 111 for 2 points, then 139 for 4 points, the mission was clear.
Guesty and Russell stood tall to secure valuable points in a no-win situation.
Guesty: 18 off 23
And Russell… take a bow, son.
An incredible straight six back over the bowler’s head helped ensure Mexborough got the points.
Russell: 18 off 13
Mexborough finishing 143 all out.
Final Thoughts
Mexborough may not have won the game, but there were so many positives:
No dropped catches
Good communication in the field
Dug deep with the bat
Showed fight in a difficult situation
Valuable points earned
Not the result wanted — but a performance to walk away with pride.
The weekend of the Bridge had begun.
Man of the match
Johnathan Guest
PTE-Doncaster
Clubs sponsors
Leesing Marrison Lee & Co.
Galvanizeuk
Beecroft Estates
Project Youth Cancer
Fenwood Estates
Butterfields
🏏
