Welcome
ESTABLISHED 1874
FOUNDER MEMBERS OF THE GREATER MANCHESTER CRICKET LEAGUE
Future Fixtures
Today's Events
Opening Times
Match Report Sat 5 September: 1st XI vs Shaw CC (Home)
Clifton came out on the right side of a low scoring thriller on Saturday, keeping hopes of Premier League survival alive, where a trip to Royton next weekend must result in matching or bettering the result that Denton West pick up against Horwich to ensure next season is spent in the top division for the 12th consecutive season; something no other club in the GMCL has been able to achieve.
Rock bottom Shaw arrived with a side that is unrecognisable to the one that started the season, after multiple jumps overboard onto lifeboats from the sinking ship. The visitors won the toss and chose to have a bat, and it looked like a few more of them were ready to abandon ship at 2/2 in the early exchanges.
The first breakthrough game from only the second ball of the match, with Crossy clattering the stumps, before doing so again in his next over, then drawing the edge a few overs later. Sleighty had one caught at slip and at 15/4 it looked like an early finish was in store and an embarrassing defeat for the basement boys.
Their sub pro restored some order with 33 before being trapped in front by Crossy, then from being 64/8, Shaw managed to post 125, mainly thanks to a frustrating 40 run partnership for the last wicket, which was finally taken with a stumping to give young Owen his second wicket of the match.
Crossy was the pick of the bowlers with a magnificent 5 for 40 from his 15 over spell, backed up well be Sleighty with 3-35 and Owen Hogben 2-23, but Shaw should really have been walking off with a fair few under a hundred to defend.
The chase of 126 got off the mark with a boundary from the first ball to McManus, who only managed to pick up 6 more runs in the first 4 overs before having to make way for Crossy, who joined Donaldson in the middle where the pair of them made it look easy as they knocked off almost half the required runs without concern inside 11 overs.
With Crossy (17) then hearing the dreaded death rattle behind him, Donaldson (19) was treated to the same noise himself an over later, before Joe Settle (0) was hit on the pads in the following over, and 57/4 meant work required from the rest to get over the line.
Hamilton joined Sam Dorsey in the middle, but could only manage 9 before his stumps were rearranged, closely followed by Dan Jones (0) and Zach Flaxman (0) both being caught. 81/7 spelt trouble and relegation was only 3 wickets from bejng confirmed.
Owen Hogben joined Sam at the crease and displayed grit and bottle for a well made 15 to get Clifton within 20 of the total before being stumped. Job done young man.
Over to Sleight to support Sam, a role which lasted only 2 balls before a soft catch at mid on when he was trying to hit the ice cream van. Match awareness.
Liam strolled out at 11 to join his younger brother in the middle, putting his experience and cricket brain to use in an intelligent supporting role, taking no risks in the pursuit of the 22 runs needed as over by over the pair of them slowly chipped away at the target.
With down to 7 runs needed, Sam flicked one off the pads into the fence for a maximum to tie the scores, bringing huge cheers around the ground. Those cheers turned to gasps of relief as the next delivery met the inside edge and ran away to the fine leg boundary to seal victory, with the captain’s superb unbeaten 36 taking the relegation battle to the final weekend.
Clifton now sit 3 points above Denton West in what is now a match up to join Egerton and Shaw in Prem 2 next season.
Royton here we come….
GMCL AFFILIATE MEMBER SCHEME
Girls Cricket Festival - Clifton u11 Dynamos
On a glorious, sun drenched afternoon at Egerton CC, 8 clubs took part in a superbly organised u11s Girls Cricket Festival; with Clifton CC taking part in an event like this for the very first time in our history.
In the Spring of 2026, our first Dynamos programme (coaching for girls ages 8 to 11) had only 5 girls signed up for the start of our girls cricket journey. Within a couple of months that had grown to 12 signed up Dynamos, and we’re still getting new girls coming to our 7pm - 8pm Friday night sessions every week, with each new girl instantly made to feel part of the group which is wonderful to see.
10 of those young Dynamos represented Clifton CC at the Egerton CC Festival on Sunday, doing themselves, their watching parents and grandparents and Clifton CC proud.
In our first game, the girls put on a brilliant performance to push a really strong Edgworth team all the way, coming up just short, before taking on the hosts, Egerton.
The game against Egerton ended in a tie after a thrilling finish to the game that went down to the last ball, but our girls saved the best to last when taking on Horwich in our third and final match of the afternoon.
A fantastic bowling performance restricted Horwich to 53/2 from their 12 overs, that set Clifton a target of 44 (5 runs are added to the start of the batting team’s total for every wicket they take when bowling) to win our first ever match.
It was neck and neck throughout the chase, but when we lost a wicket with 4 balls to go leaving us needing 9 runs off the last 3 balls, it looked an impossible task.
A quick single then a frantically run two meant it was 6 needed off the last ball to win the game. So up stepped Evie to smash the ball into all the wildly celebrating parents and grandparents for 6. An incredible finish to a fantastic day.
I’m sure on Friday night that we’ll be getting asked over and over again when the next Festival is, so I better get us signed up to do it all again in a few weeks time…..
The smiles on the girl's faces throughout the whole afternoon told in an instant just how much they enjoyed it, so a thank you from us to all of their parents and grandparents for bringing them along to Clifton to start their cricketing life with our wonderful club.
Girls cricket at Clifton is looking very promising indeed!
Paul & Megan
Club Rules Update
We’ve recently completed a full review and update of the Club Rules.
The updates focus on improving clarity, removing outdated provisions, and ensuring the Rules properly reflect how the Club operates today. We have also strengthened certain areas of governance to make roles and responsibilities clearer and to support the Club’s long-term stability.
There are no changes to the spirit or values of the Club; this is about making sure our foundations are clear, consistent and fit for the future.
The updated Rules are now available to view here:
CLUB RULES
Thank you for your continued support of our club.
Match Ball Sponsorship 2026
🏏 MATCH BALL SPONSORSHIP– NOW LIVE AT CLIFTON CRICKET CLUB 🏏
The season is nearly here… now we need your support 💛
Our Match Ball Sponsorship for the 2026 season is officially up and running, and it’s a brilliant way to personally back the club or promote your business (or simply supporting your team!).
💥 Senior Matches – £30
✔ Great value
✔ Deals available when you sponsor multiple games
✔ And yes… there could be cake involved 🍰😉
🌟 Junior Matches – Just£20
✔ An absolute bargain and a fantastic way to support the future of Clifton Cricket Club.
When you sponsor a match ball you are helping us:
• Support all senior & junior cricket
• Maintain our facilities
• Invest in the next generation
• Keep cricket thriving in our community
It is simple, affordable, and makes a real difference. If you have been thinking about getting involved, now’s the time.
Whether it’s one game or a few fixtures across the season, we would love to hear from you.
📩 Drop us a message - cliftonccmembership@gmail.com
📞 Speak to a committee member
Let's fill the fixture list and make it a season to remember.
Support your club. Back your team. Sponsor a match ball. 💛
Google Review
Just click THIS LINK and be kind 😁
Macron Sports Club Shop
