It took two trips to Wales – not to mention fixtures in Devon and Somerset - but by mid-June Canford's U15 cricketers had sealed their terrific season by winning the Lord's Taverners South-West Regional Championship.  

The title was due reward for two winters hard work in the school's training programme headed by former England A batsman (and Canford coach) Paul Prichard.  As U14s in the summer of 2006 the team won the Dorset section of the competition to qualify for the 2007 national event.

For their captain Tom Darby, the cricket season never ends.  Each week during the school year Hampshire Academy Director Tony Middleton works with him at Canford, and every Sunday Tom goes to the Rose Bowl to train with Academy staff or play for Hampshire U15s.  The hard work has already paid dividends: in 2007 he captained the West of England U15 team in the Caribbean, scored 138* in 26 overs to knock Millfield out of the Lord's Taverners Trophy, and is the 1st XI's leading run-scorer and wicket-taker.  His 170 against the Bristol Sports Academy contained 13 sixes.  ‘The Firsts and U15s have both been top teams to play in,' says Tom.  ‘I'm just glad I've been able to chip in occasionally with a few runs and wickets.'