Staff cricket team wins through to semi-final of Sellick League

16 Jul 2014

The team, which is made up academics from across the University, members of the PSS and a PhD student, is looking forward to the match on Friday, 18 July - hopefully followed by the final

The staff team plays in the Manchester Professionals League (better known as the Sellick League) and has for the first time reached the semi-finals of the Cup, which will be played at Timperley Cricket Club, starting at 3.30pm with the final to follow at 6.30pm.

A glorious July evening at the picturesque Whalley Range Cricket Club saw the team winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Tight bowling and a huge effort in the field saw Grant Thornton restricted to 113 for 7. Notable figures for Darragh 3 for 23 off 3 overs and Pete 2 for 11 off 2 overs.

In response, the University cruised with runs from Jo (33* retired), Ashay (11) and Mark 14* chasing the total down with 23 balls and 6 wickets to spare.

So, that was it - a golden evening in the sun, some excellent batting, bowling and fielding and the team had won through to the finals day - it's uncharted territory for them in the Cup competition but whatever happens on Friday they can already reflect on their best Sellick campaign yet - very well played all!

Team member Mark Glass, who is Senior Research Finance Officer for Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, and SEAS, said: "This is a huge achievement for us: we have great team spirit and take pride in representing the University."

Skipper Dr David Butler, Senior Lecturer in Screen Studies, said: "Major thanks and congratulations to everybody who has contributed to us getting this far. We've got to finals day of the Plate before but never the Cup, so this is also a thanks to everybody who has pitched into the team over the last four years - and especially to Imran for starting us off on this annual quest all those years ago!"