In the ESCA Under 15 One Day Cup, Merchant Taylors’ School booked their place in the final thanks to a decisive semi-final victory over Marlborough College. Taylors’ bowled their opponents our for just 109 from 31 overs and chased down their modest total for the loss of only two wickets. This sets up a mouthwatering final with Shrewsbury, who have also looked extremely strong throughout the competition, at Oakham School on 7th July.
In the David English Under 13 Cup, the final line up was completed with Manchester Grammar School’s win over Bedford School. In a tightly contested and low scoring semi-final MGS put Bedford into bat and promptly dismissed the opposing top three batters without scoring. Bedford fought back thanks to 56 from Tom Gray but were restricted to 119-8 with Sufi Gertsen(3-9) the pick of the bowlers. Manchester’s top order also struggled in response but Bilal Illyas anchored the middle order to see MGS home by just 2 wickets. MGS will face Hampton School in the final on 8th July.
The Regional Finals of the ECB/ESCA Under 15 T20 Cup were affected by the heatwave at the end of June. At the Midlands finals Repton School (pictured) put on a dominant display featuring twin centuries from Theo Brown, defeating Bedford in the semi-final and Shrewsbury in the final. In the North, state school Altrincham Grammar School emerged as winners having defeated Sedbergh School and Scarborough College. In the South West, the finals day was cancelled but Stowe School and Scarborough College won separate semi-finals and will contest the regional final during the summer holidays. The four teams still in contention in the South East are Merchant Taylors', Epsom, state school Brighton Aldridge Cricket Academy and Dulwich.
