Brandon Cricket Club Durham - Juniors

Under 11 Development Friendly v Ushaw Moor CC

A very enjoyable morning saw our hardball development team come up slightly short against a side who have played a full season at U11s cricket. With a lack of opponents available we played all 14 players available and all did themselves proud.

Scores are on playcricket, see the link below...
https://brandon.play-cricket.com/website/results/7749083

Thanks to all that helped make this morning happen, including Ushaw Moor CC, Joel Dalby, Mark Burnham and Ian Johnson.

🐗🏏⭐

The lads are packed and ready to go. Group games against Allround Cricket Academy, Western Rhinos and Middlesex CCC (Monday to Wednesday) then hopefully in to the knockouts.

Sunday Morning Under 11 and Under 9 Regional Playoffs

A mixed morning as both our Under 11 sides exited their competitions, but our Under 9s progressed to a finals day (TBC).

U11 Maroons - unfortunately our league winning stars came up against some formidable opponents within the South Shields U11s. Nevertheless, we are all proud of the achievements by those who have represented this team this year. League Champions, Cup Runners Up and Regional Champions Trophy Semi Finalists is a great season. Thank you to Graham Wallace, James Walker and the parents for making the trip to Cleadon this morning, and to Paul Curry for leading this team throughout the season. Well done everyone. 👏👏👏

U11 Gold - another step up in performance, but an opposition which had a couple of individuals that took the game away from us. Against some very pacey and accurate bowling the team weathered some good bowling and then hit back to score over 100 for the first time this year. At halfway in the Marsden chase we were well positioned, but the 3rd pair took the game away from.us with some brutal hitting to.leave us chasing wickets. There were different goals for this team, compared to the maroons, but we all couldn't be happier with how this team has developed through the season. Thanks to Simon Hodgson for his efforts with this team throughout the year, and all the parents who have helped with organising and scoring. 👏👏👏

U9 Performance - A comfortable 66 run victory over Seaham Park means the season continues for this team. 122 runs scored was another excellent show of the batting power we have, although fairly sloppy losing 6 wickets. Our bowling followed a similar pattern with a mixture of either very good, and some not so good. 28 wides and no balls out of Seaham Park's total of 50, tells the story. In comparison Seaham Park only conceded 10 wides. We'll need an improved perfomance in the next game, but the main thing is we progressed. Well done everyone. 👏👏👏

U11 GOLDS win🎉

The season is extended for another week for our U11s Gold team as a wonderful team performance saw them overcome Esh Winning U11s.

Contributions all round but, yet again, its worth highlighting an EXTRAS difference of 14, and a WICKETS difference of 10, between the teams, meaning 24 of the 44 winning margin was gained here.
⭐Wicketkeeper Carter conceded ZERO byes and a catch - Incredible 👏👏

With the bat, again we scored over 80. The first two pairs of Jack, Toby, Aria and Louise setting a really nice platform.
⭐Net scores of Jack C (13) and Hannah B (10). Also a mention for Elijah W who scored 13 and, although out twice, shows the potential of what's to come.

With the ball in hand, all bowlers kept the run rate down, backed up by another improved performance from the fielders.
⭐Ralph W, still at U9s level, continues to show what an exciting bowling prospect he will be at this age group for the next 2 years. 3 wickets for 3 runs from 3 overs was the standout.

🗣 Simon Hodgson - Our first win of the season was against Esh (developing team v developing team) and our guys really showed how much they have come on. The bowling and fielding was the highlight. Finally they are coming together as a team and celebrating every good ball, wicket, catch, run or boundary.

🗣 James Walker - That was a brilliant performance all round. Pairings were right and bowling and fielding first class

Well done to Simon, James and the team. Marsden at home next week.🐗🏏

🏏 Senior Cricket Opportunity This Weekend 🏏

If you’re available this weekend and fancy the challenge of playing senior cricket, let us know!

It’s a brilliant opportunity to gain experience, improve your skills, and represent Brandon Cricket Club alongside our senior players.

Drop one of the coaches a message if you’re interested.

💛 Under 13s | Champions Trophy Quarter Final

It wasn’t to be our night as our Under 13s bowed out of the Champions Trophy with defeat to a very good Seaham Harbour side.

Cricket can be a humbling game and, if we’re honest, we never really showed the levels of skill we know this team is capable of. But what can never be questioned is the attitude, effort and commitment shown right until the final ball. The group kept battling, supported one another and represented Brandon CC with pride throughout.

As coaches, we’re incredibly proud of everything this squad has achieved this season. To finish as Under 13 League Champions, League Cup Finalists and reach the Champions Trophy Quarter Final is something they should all look back on with pride.

Tonight also marks the end of the Under 13 journey for seven of our players. A special thank you goes to our three outstanding senior leaders Thom, Will and Harry, who have led this group brilliantly with maturity, encouragement and commitment throughout the season. Alongside Harry E, Ethan, Korey and Jack, they have helped guide our younger Under 11 players, giving them confidence, setting standards and helping them develop into the next generation of Brandon cricketers.

Now it’s time to pass the torch.

Watching those younger players grow alongside our older ones has been one of the real highlights of the season, and it gives us great excitement for what lies ahead. The future of junior cricket at Brandon is in very good hands.

A huge thank you to every player, every parent and every supporter who has backed this team throughout the year. And from Paul, Mark, Graham and Nathan, thank you to this fantastic group of young people. You’ve represented Brandon Cricket Club with tremendous pride and have been a pleasure to coach.

Enjoy the memories, keep working hard, and let’s go again next season with another exciting group ready to wear the Brandon Cricket Club shirt.

Tonight at Brandon Cricket Club - 6pm 🏏

MATCH REPORT - U9 & U11 GOLDS at home to Langley Park and Bearpark CC.

With the Maroon U9s cancelled at Hunwick, the South West Sunday morning league season was brought to a conclusion in a double header v LP&BP at Brandon Cricket Club.

U9s report by James Walker
Captain Jack G lost the toss and the golds were elected to bowl.
The bowling and fielding was some of the best of the season and wickets were on the MENU. The Golds needed 37 to win and came out on a mission. Great start from James and Theo set the score board ticking towards victory. Tom and Patrick played fantastic and added valuable runs. Captain Jack took the crease in 3rd pair and with the support of Zach played the perfect partnership. Jack scored an incredible 38 runs and the training over the season showed as his shots were beautiful. That allowed the big hitters Edward and Tristan to go big and they did. Sixes, fours, 1’s and 2’s allowed the Golds to win by 70+ runs.
As always a big shout out to the Brandon Army. You guys are the reason the boys and girls at the club have such a special chemistry.
Finally thanks to Kev for helping I really appreciate your help.

U11s
Mixed feelings on the result for this one, but not on the performance of the team. All hardball newbies in 2026, this teams progression has been brilliant.

We should've ended the season with 3 wins in a row, but allowing the opposition to play with 7 has cost the Golds (again), as the player they chose to bat twice was their captain and best player. Our ethos for this team has always been development first, but we've seen that wins are part of this, and I'm not sure its correct for our players to come off deflated, seeing a team celebrate a victory they only have via an unfair advantage. That's on me, and perhaps my learning curve in my first year of leading teams in competitive junior cricket.

Aside from that, have a look at the detail of the scorecard. Our lowest amount of extras all season (5 wides and 2 no balls = 14 runs) and 7 wickets taken shows amazing improvement in our bowling. Standout performances from Hannah, Aria, George and Ralph with with ball shows our girls and future U11s sections are in good shape. With the bat the team are looking more solid, losing 5 wickets and scoring 80+ again. Promising stuff from James E and George, and a fine 19 from 14 balls from Hannah.
Thanks to Simon Hodgson for his amazing efforts with this team this year.

Congratulations once again to the MAROON U11s and U9s SOFTBALL teams for their league victories 🏆, and to all of our U9s and U11s Girls who we have no doubt will continue the amazing development and success our junior section has seen in recent years.

Some of our teams now go into playoff action against other regional winners, and there may be some other friendlies arranged.

Thank you to all the coaches and parents that have made 2026 Sunday mornings possible. Its been hard with 5 teams, but we've made it through!

And one final BIG thank you is to Ian Johnson who continues to work away, mostly in the background, preparing our practice wickets, match wickets, setting out cones, doing the kitchen, etc, etc. Also, securing the £14k council funding and sourcing materials and labour for the new permanent net cages has been a major improvement to our practice area and improves safety for our growing junior section.

PJ 🐗🏏

Support the under 11’s as they finish the season in style 🏏

🏆 BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS! 🏆

Brandon CC Under 13s are South West U-13 League Champions… again!

History has been made as Brandon CC Under 13s retained their South West U-13 League title, becoming back-to-back league champions after an incredible 5-run victory away to Hunwick in a winner-takes-all finale.

With the trophy waiting at the ground and the league title on the line, the team produced a performance full of courage, character and composure to successfully defend the crown they won last season.

Batting first, Brandon posted 99-6 from their 20 overs. W. Curry held the innings together superbly with a composed 30, while H. Forbes-Hunt changed the momentum with a brilliant 31 from just 25 balls, including five boundaries. Valuable contributions throughout the order ensured Brandon had a total to defend.

What followed was a fantastic team effort with the ball and in the field. Every player played their part, applying pressure from the very first over. H. Forbes-Hunt starred with 2 wickets for just 10 runs, while S. Wallace, W. Curry and N. Platts all chipped in with a wicket apiece.

As Hunwick pushed for victory in a nail-biting finish, W. Curry was entrusted with the final over. Needing a calm head under enormous pressure, he delivered brilliantly, conceding just three runs and taking a crucial wicket with one ball remaining to seal an unforgettable 5-run victory and spark jubilant celebrations.

To retain a league title is never easy. Every team raises their game against the champions, yet this group has shown remarkable resilience, determination and togetherness all season. They have earned every bit of this success.

A huge thank you goes to all of the parents, families and supporters who have been behind the team every step of the way. Your encouragement has been invaluable throughout another unforgettable campaign.

League Champions 2025. League Champions 2026.

Back-to-back champions. A remarkable achievement that every player should be incredibly proud of. ❤️💛🏆🏆