In the South-East group, the ground staff at Merchant Taylors’ School worked miracles to get the semi-final on, albeit reduced to 20 overs. Despite five wickets from Harry Watts, MTs put up an impressive total of 179-6 which secured a 40 run victory and brought John Hampden Grammar School’s impressive cup run. In the regional final Merchant Taylors’ School (150-5) saw off Essex Champions Brentwood School (149) to earn a place in the national semi-final where they will play either Marlborough College, who won a low-scoring regional semi-final against Clifton College, or Millfield School. The Midlands final saw another dominant performance by Shrewsbury School (286-5) who defeated Gresham’s School (155) thanks to a fine innings of 142 from Gurjeevan Singh Athwal. In the North group, the final was contested between state school Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (AGSB, pictured) and Scarborough College. Winning the toss, Scarborough posted a competitive score of 221-9, Xavier Lockey top-scoring with 54. However, AGSB (222-3) eased passed their target with five overs to spare thanks to 84 from Charlie Rourke and an unbeaten 64 from Yashmit Polisetty. Altrincham will now host Shrewsbury in the other national semi-final.

In the David English Under 13 Cup, the first semi-final line up to be completed will see 2025 winners Hampton School travel to South-West champions Sir Thomas Rich’s School in Gloucester. Hampton (186-5) defeated Epsom College (133-8) while Sir Thomas Rich’s bowled out Poole Grammar School for 55 and despite an early scare losing three early wickets, eased to victory thanks to a half century from Alex Simpson. In the North group, the final will be contested between Repton School and Manchester Grammar School, and the winners of that match will take on the winner of the Midlands final between Bromsgrove School and Bedford School.