Runners Up at National Cricket Finals

U18 Girls 2nd at National T20 Cricket Finals

Thursday 6^th July saw Canford's female cricketers take a step into the unknown as they made their debut appearance in the Schoolsport Magazine U18 National T20 Cricket Finals. Canford were representing the South West having beaten last year's champions Bradfield College at the quarter final stage. They were joined at the event held at Kingston Grammar School by fellow regional winners Repton School (North), Ipswich School (Midlands) and Forest School (South East).

Tony Diprose, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing, takes up the match story:

The draw saw Canford pitted in the semi-finals against perennial sporting powerhouse Repton and after winning the toss captain Clare R sent the opposition into bat. It proved to be a wise decision with some tidy early bowling backed up by excellent fielding restricting the Repton batters and keeping the run rate under control. A score of 19-1 off the first 6 overs showed the control that Canford had on the game. Unsurprisingly Repton fought back well during the middle period of the game with the young Canford spinners taking some punishment as the run rate increased. Despite a few slips in the field the Canford girls finished off the innings quite tidily and were left facing a target of 126 to make it through to the final.

The Canford innings did not get off to a great start with Emelia B, who had steered the team through the quarter final, falling in the first over. However, that brought Poppy W to join Izzy R who would put together a fantastic 100 run partnership which steered the girls towards victory. Izzy fell just short of a half century for 49 but Poppy (52 not out) was joined by Daisy T and they saw the team through to victory with 3 overs to spare.

After a short break the girls were back out to face an Ipswich School side who had won the U15 version for the last two years and comfortably despatched Forest School in their semi-final. This term Canford were sent in to set a target and set off well with Emelia B particularly strong despite Izzy R falling as the score reached the 40s. Emelia unfortunately fell to an excellent return catch by one of the many Ipswich spinners and it was left to Poppy W to again take up the attack. However, after taking three boundaries off the next over, she tried one run too many and was run out. Here Ipswich turned the screw and with no batters really getting going the Canford innings limped its way to a score of 80-9 off of the allotted 20 overs.

It was never likely to be a big enough total against quality opposition. Despite a couple of opportunities and one excellent wicket for Izzy R taken very well behind by Daisy T, Ipswich powered to victory and the deserved National title.

Maybe not the way we wanted the season to end but huge congratulations must go to all the pupils, staff and parents who have been part of and followed the girls' journey through the early rounds to end up as the 2^nd best team in the country. An amazing achievement particularly as with the age profile of the team all of the girls can come back and look to go one step further next year!!