County Under 15 Champions Reach NatWest National Club Finals

UNDER 15 JUSTICE CUP at Hursley  Park Cricket Club

St Cross Symondians' total 102 for 5 proved 8 runs too many Hook & Newnham Basics at Hursley's picturesque Quarters ground.  Hook were cruising at 62 for 2 until Harry Trussler's run out of joint top scorer Charlie Lappin (28) sparked a collapse.  The introduction of Kieran Dunne (2 for 16) saw Rupert Armstrong depart also for 28 with Freddie Hazlitt (1 for 17) applying the squeeze.  Two run outs followed and despite some late extras, the Winchester club, for whom Alex Ayers made 35, edged home.

They have since progressed to the national stages of the NatWest National Under 15 Club Championship (more below), which no Hampshire club has won .... yet, although St Cross under 13s were national champions back in 2012.

Scorecard

Photos by Dave Vokes Photography

Programme

Remarkable resilience under pressure snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and earned St Cross a place in the national semi-final at the expense of Bedminster (Gloucs).  Tadgh Patten (40) led from the front, supported by Ayers (28), in a competitive but not out of reach score of 118 for 6.  Max Tryfonos (51 not out) looked to have won it for the westerners, but the tables turned in the final over.  2 run outs (by Trussler and Zac Organ) and 2 wickets for skipper Ayers (3 for 16), bowled and caught and bowled - all his own work - resulted in a 2 run win with a ball to go!

The Hampshire side now travel to Rugby School on Monday 15th August, where the England & Wales Cricket Board are providing all finalists with coloured playing kit for finals day.  Esher (Surrey), Hallam (Yorks) and Barnt Green (Worcs) have also qualified for the semi-finals, with the final taking place on the same day.

A strong performance across the water against Ryde had propelled the Winchester side to South & West Group Finals day at Millfield School.  Hazlitt's unbeaten 42, backed by Ayers' 37 helped the visitors post a competitive 140 for 5.  Hazlitt  (2 for 4 ) then starred with the ball in a 34 run victory despite Harry Sprengel's 36 for the islanders.

At Millfield, Trussler (44) and Ayers (35) then helped St Cross rack up 180 for 7 against Kingsbridge (Devon), who were bowled out for just 17 in reply.  Patten (5 for 6) and Trussler (4 for 10) dismissed the west country team in just 6.5 overs to set up the nailbiter against Bedminster.

Path to the national finals

Ryde scorecard

Kingsbridge scorecard

Bedminster scorecard