Terrific Tom is ton-up teen

WELL DONE . . .Tom White with local league legend Cec Wright

AGE was no barrier for teenager Tom White when he faced two of local cricket's golden oldies.

Belying his 13 years, he hit a terrific 107 not out for Micklehurst's second team in a JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League clash.

Tom's brilliant effort with the bat helped steer his side to a remarkable nine-wicket victory over Uppermill.

The century, of which 82 runs came in boundaries, followed on from 70-year-old Jim Bradbury's superb innings of 119 earlier in the game.

Batting for all of the 36 overs it took Micklehurst to chase down Uppermill's score of 254 for five, Tom had to fend off 12 overs from Cec Wright, who is 83 years young!

The Mossley Hollins pupil's previous highest knock in senior cricket was 29, although he scored 50 (retired) in each of his last two under-15 games.

CAREER

When he reached three figures, ever-the-sportsman Cec, who has taken more than 7,000 wickets in an illustrious career, was one of the first people to shake the youngter's hand.

Dad Neil, a former player at Micklehurst turned junior coach, said: "It was a phenomenal effort from Tom.

"To bat that length of time for someone so young needs excellent levels of concentration.

"He never gave a chance. Some of the stalwarts of the club hadn't seen anything like it before from a player of Tom's age. It was credit to the lad that he kept going.

"There was a real feelgood factor about the day and it was a pleasure to witness and be involved - it's what cricket is about.

"Cec Wright congratulated Tom on the pitch after he made his century - it was great to see.

"It was what memories are made of."

Tom's ton - he made 26 not out against Shaw 24 hours later - could not have come at a more opportune time.

Already in the Tameside District squad at under-15s, he was today attending under-14s Lancashire County trials at Westhoughton Cricket Club.

It's not only with the bat that Tom excels.

He took three of the five Uppermill wickets to fall bowling seam up - that's on top of the 50 he claimed in second and third team cricket last season.

Tom was born to play cricket at Micklehurst.

He was made a member of the club when only three days old. By the time he was nine he was being used a substitute fielder for second XI games.

PROVIDED

Micklehurst's junior section provided the grounding for Arron Lilley, the Lancashire spinner, and Greg Buckley, who did so much to lift Delph to the top of the Drakes Huddersfield League standings.

A forced to be reckoned with in the old Saddleworth League, Micklehurst have struggled more recently.

However, Neil can see green shoots of recovery.

He added: "Micklehurst have been through some difficult times in the last 10 years or so, but the future looks good.

"There is a real nice feeling about the club - it's just like the old times."

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