With all English and Welsh schools on half term last week, very little cricket took place apart from some Scottish schools whose summer holidays start in a couple of weeks. Schools were very quickly back into action on Monday with Boys T20 semi-finals taking place in the East Midlands and East Anglia and the South East, while Epsom took on Whitgift in the South London Final.
Epsom, who have been tipped to be successful this season, shocked perennial South London winners Whitgift to win the South London title. Epsom won the toss and invited their visitors to bat, who lost regular wickets as they clawed their way to 129-9, with only skipper Dougie Beckett (50) making any meaningful contribution. Epsom, containing many of last year’s Under 17 title-winning side, made easy work of the target with Ralphie Albert (41*), Alfie Haxton (39), and Nathan Farmer (30*) all making significant scores and winning by six wickets. Having reached their target inside 18 overs, to set up a much-anticipated London play-off at Haileybury in the last 16.
Cranleigh reached the South East regional final for the second year running after beating Bede’s. After restricting Bede’s to 109 all out, Cranleigh batted cautiously to overhaul their target with 5 balls to spare, and four wickets down. In the East region, both New Hall and Stamford had reached the regional semi-final for the first time. Stamford ran out winners, having contained New Hall to 116-6, they knocked off the runs for the loss of four wickets in less than 13 overs. In the South Central region, Wellington hosted Berkshire neighbours Bradfield, with the hosts running out winners by four wickets with three overs in hand.
In the Girls 100-ball, Denstone were bowled out for just 70 with Staffordshire batter Sophie Beech making a remarkable unbeaten 60. King’s Worcester made easy work of their target for the loss of just three wickets in 52 balls.
In the second round of the Boys Under 17 competition, holders Epsom defeated South London rivals Trinity with Nathan Farmer making 106*, while Scarborough easily overcame Myerscough and Marlborough were surprisingly beaten at Plymouth. The tie of the round was played in the North East, where Newcastle Schools for Boys chased down the 244 set by Sedbergh, in just 28 overs. Durham prospect Robbie Bowman top-scored with an undefeated 179, a new record in the competition.
In the round of 16, three-time winners Shrewsbury progressed into the national quarter final as they squeaked past Denstone by 3 wickets and an over to spare. Denstone had posted an imposing 230-3 from 30 overs, but some spirited batting from Shrewsbury saw them reach their target with three overs in hand and an over to spare. Ireland Under-19 batter Freddie Ogilby top-scored with 79.
This week sees regional semi-finals in the West Midlands, East Midlands and East Anglia, South West and South Central regions and the website will be updated on Saturday morning to reflect these results.
Score cards will be available on Play Cricket at https://natiionalschoolsu18t20cup.play-cricket.com/home while score updates, latest results and links to live streams will be updated on X (formerly Twitter) at @schools_cricket.
National Schools Boys Under 18 T20
South East Semi-final
Bede’s 109, Cranleigh 112-4 (19.1)
East Midlands and East Anglia Semi-final
New Hall 116-6, Stamford 121-4 (12.5)
South Central Semi-final
Bradfield 119-9, Wellington 120-6 (17)
South London Final
Whitgift 129-9, Epsom 131-3 (17.3)
Epsom College now play Haileybury in the London play off at a venue and date tbc
The Cricket Paper National Schools Boys Under 17 Cup (35 Overs unless stated)
Round 2
Epsom 209-5 (30) (N Farmer 106*), Trinity 193-7
Sedbergh 244-5 (30), Newcastle Boys 248-6 (R Bowman 179*)
Plymouth 163, Marlborough 142
Scarborough 172, Myerscough Manchester 89
Bedford School 258-4 (30), Gresham’s School 228
Round 3 (round of 16)
Denstone 230-3 (30), Shrewsbury 231-7
Other Results (20 overs unless otherwise stated)
Tuesday 27th May
Dollar Academy 120-8, ESMS 103-8
Wednesday 28th May
MCC 186 for 6 dec., *High School of Glasgow 102 for 8
Friday 30th May
Trent College 125-6, Old Tridents 116-7
Saturday 31st May
The Edinburgh Academy 116-8 (20 Overs), ESMS 116-9
Monday 2nd June
Eastbourne College 134-7 (20 Overs), Seaford College 136-4
Tuesday 3rd June
Girls Cricket
The Cricket Paper National Schools Girls Under 18 100 Ball
Round of 16
Denstone College 70, King’s, Worcester 72-3 (52)