On a glorious day at Lord?s (Nursery ground), the several hundred spectators were treated to? a feast of powerful hitting, lively bowling, brilliant fielding and mercurial running. This was the culmination of the first National Schools Twenty20 competition, hosted by HMC schools and generously sponsored by MCC, Oxbridge balls and MKK sports. The tournament involved 140 schools from all over England (Scotland, Ireland and Wales were not represented this year).
In the first semi-final, the closest match of the day, Abingdon batted first and, despite losing their opening batsman to a direct-hit run-out before he had faced a ball, they batted with considerable vigour and skill to reach a par score of 150. In reply, Bedford?s captain went early, but Sam Kumar (33) and Christian Davis timed the ball well. However, Abingdon?s excellent spinners were piling on the pressure and a tie looked a very real possibility. In the end, Chris Smart (36) struck some well-timed blows to win with two balls to spare.
Shrewsbury faced Millfield in the second semi-final. Here were two strong sides, and Shrewsbury?s total of 181 for seven, led by captain Alex Blofeld with 47, looked as if it might well be enough. However, this was to reckon without Millfield?s formidable battery of powerful strikers, led by Daniel Bell-Drummond (45) and Will Jenkins (41). They managed to overhaul the target, also losing seven wickets, without ever lookng in real danger of losing.
The final was somewhat one-sided, despite Bedford?s good all-round side. Their 145 for four, led by captain James Kettleborough?s fine 62, was respectable, but never looked to be enough and so it proved when Millfield batted as if they had a train to catch. Once again, Daniel Bell-Drummond (42) was to the fore with Josh Pinn scoring 51. Sixes and fours were blasted to all parts with such speed that they won by seven wickets with more than six overs to spare. They were worthy winners of the inaugural trophy.
National Schools Twenty20 tournament final Monday June 28th at Lord’s
Scoreboard:
First semi-final
Abingdon 150 (Henry Moorcroft 3-23)
Bedford 151-7 (Chris Smart 36, Sam Kumar 33, Richard Wharton 31)
Second semi-final
Shrewsbury 181-7 (Alex Blofield 47, Stephen Barnard 36, Jack Hudson-Williams 28, David Lloyd 21, Jack Bailey 20 not out, Tom Wheater 2-30, Jack Pinn 2-30)
Millfield 183-7? (Daniel Bell-Drummond 45, Will Jenkins 41, Jack Hudson-Williams 2-39, Ben Williams 1-21)
Final
Bedford 145-4? (James Kettleborough 62, Richard Wharton 25 not out, Tom Wheater 2-24)
Millfield 148-3 (Daniel Bell-Drummond 42, Josh Pinn 51)
Millfield win the inaugural National Schools Twenty20 tournament
Because of the National Schools Twenty20 final on Monday, reports on a number of other matches will be held over until next week. However, there is a bumper crop of results posted below.
Results:
*RGS Newcastle 181, Durham 189-5
MCC 225-5, *Denstone 225-8 (C Beech 109)
Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 229-9 (35 overs), *Mill Hill 86
MCC 253-5 (40 overs),,*Reigate GSl 195
Old Ratcliffians 219-2 dec (K Smith 130 not out), *Ratcliffe 115-9
*St Edward?s, Oxford 107, Denstone 108-3
Loughborough GS 171, Oundle 172-5 (R Osmond 100 not out)
Yarra Valley GS ( Aus) 225, Oundle 226-6 (R Osmond 104 not out)
*St Albans 186, Aylesbury 189-4 (B Atkins 107 not out)
*Christ?s Hospital 249 (L Hansard 124), Reigate GS 243 (W Fry 126)
Eton 204 (55 overs), Harrow 208-5 ( Y Sert 105 not out) (at Lord?s)
MCC 257-4 dec, *Woodhouse Grove 160
Worksop 297-7 dec, *Woodhouse Grove 228
*Dauntsey?s 294-8 (50 overs), Colston?s 197
RGS Worcester 268-8 (50 overs), *King’s, Worcester 34 (A Pollock 5-14)
Cranleigh 169 (M Hobden 5-20), *Eastbourne 170-5
City of London Freemen?s 49 (35 overs), *Sevenoaks 51-2
Judd 174-6 (35 overs), *Sevenoaks 175-4
Sevenoaks 124-2 (20 overs), Old Sennockians 127-3
*Bishop?s Stortford HS 186-9 (45 overs), Bedford Modern 188-7
*Wellingborough 234-4 (40 overs)(C Macdonell 104 not out), Yarra Valley GS 234-8
*Felsted 279-5 dec, Eltham 161-8
Filton 329-4 (50 overs) (M Kinchin 127, S Bullin 117), *Bristol GS 240
Queen Elizabeth?s Hospital, Bristol 182-8 (35 overs), *Bristol GS 184-3
Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 245-8 dec (W Magie 107, E Lowe 5-44), *UCS 151
*Tonbridge 229, Radley 160 (Tonbridge retain the Cowdrey Cup)
*King?s, Taunton 376-7 (50 overs)(C Meschede 202, A Barrow 131 not out), Monmouth 241
King’s, Taunton 247-8 (50 overs), *Taunton School 193
Filton 226-9 (50 overs), *King’s, Taunton 229-0 (C Meschede 114 not out, A Barrow 102 not out)
*King?s Taunton 340-2 (40 overs) (A Brown 135 not out, M Lenygon 103), KEVICCS 139
*Rossall 171-9?& 201-6, Kirkham GS 180 & 192-6
Kirkham GS 217-6 (35 overs) (K Marmion 104)? *Rossall 130
*Wellington, Somerset 216-7 (30 overs) Old Boys 217-6
Old Haberdashers’ CC 171-9 (45 overs), *Haberdashers’ Aske’s 173-3
*Christ?s Hospital 249 (L Hansford 124, N Gunning 5-46), Reigate GS 243 (W Fry 126)
Crusaders 251-8 dec (P Richer 6-104), *Perse 149-9
*Perse 264-4 dec (B Creese 133), Gresham?s 80
*Forest 235-7 dec (J Das 104 not out), Perse 107-8
Bedford 170 (J Gray 5-21), *Perse 172-9
*Winchester 267-7 (50 overs)(C Portz 103), Woodridge (RSA) 132
*Winchester 264-7 (50 overs)(C Portz 107), Wellington 260-8
*Glenalmond 68 (N Farrar 6-20), Strathallan 72-2
Beechen Cliff 148, *Monkton Combe 149-3 (Monkton win Peak Sports League)
*King?s, Bruton 219, Monkton Combe 222-5
*RGS Newcastle 181, Durham 185-3
MCC 277-4, *Durham 164
Durham 184 (50 overs) *Ashville 187-3
Durham 246-7 (35 overs), *King’s, Worcester 134 (E Adamson 5-21)
Durham 224-6 (40 overs), *Old Swinford Hospital 217-7