THE first Carsons & Mangotsfield side to take the field in anger this year were the Under-19s, who finally got to play their rain-delayed 2025 Gloucestershire Youth Cricket League U19 Development Cup final.
Batting first, they made up for lost time with a commanding 171-5 from 20 overs, Ollie Catton’s unbeaten 50 and Harry Ravenscroft’s 46 setting the tone.
The job wasn’t done, but regular wickets kept opponents Stoke Bishop in check.
The Buckingham brothers led the squeeze: Max with 2-23, Isaac miserly with 1-13, as the reply stalled at 133-5.
A deserved win and a trophy in the bag – not a bad way to open the season!
Having spent game week one as unpaid Met Office consultants – poring and pondering over perpetually poised precipitation – the senior sides finally put the weather apps away and enjoyed a full weekend’s cricket in game week two.
The 1st XI set the tone with a commanding seven-wicket win over Winterbourne.
Craig Woodland was the pick of the bowlers, with a superb 4-8 as Winterbourne could only muster 93 all out.
Kieran Gallagher then eased through the chase with an unbeaten 52: a fine start to life in Division 3.
The 2nd XI followed suit, seeing off Whitchurch by 32 runs. Harry Ravenscroft’s captain’s knock of 102 set things up before a middle-order wobble left them on 209-8.
A disciplined bowling effort finished the job, with George Clatworthy’s 4-33 the standout from a young and promising attack.
The 3rd XI endured a tougher afternoon in their local derby, losing to newly-promoted Bristol Aces.
However, the evergreen Mike Norris rolled back the years with a stylish 54 to go with his earlier two wickets.
The Sunday XI wrapped the weekend up with a convincing 127-run win over Hampset, the Woodland duo stealing the show: Jack’s 4-9 narrowly outshining dad Craig’s 4-16. Household bragging rights may be lively this summer!
This year marks a milestone with the launch of the CMCC Women’s team: softball cricket for all experience levels.
Four friendlies and several festivals are already lined up; training is Wednesdays, 6.30-7.30pm, with informal Saturday nets.
Whether you’re brand new or returning to the game, come down and get involved in the club’s first ever all-female cricket team!
If you want to be part of a growing, family club, contact info.carsonsandmangotsfield@gmail.com or follow us on our social media pages.
Jake Lane