Match reports from Rugby School and the Cup Final.
Rugby School Festival
Yorkshire U13 220-7 (Tom Burton 75, Jawad Akhtar 57) beat Nottinghamshire U13 98ao (Finlay Hill 3-16) by 122 runs.
Day 1 saw Yorkshire U13 face Nottinghamshire U13 in a 45 overs contest.
On winning the toss, Yorkshire had no hesitation in batting first. However, Rohan Ratnalingam (4) was soon dismissed, followed by Sabir Mahmood (2), leaving Yorkshire on 24-2. Leo Wilson (19) put away the bad balls but then needlessly ran himself out when looking set. Thereafter, Jawad Akhtar (57) - captain for the day - joined Tom Burton (75) in a 136 run partnership that repaired the early damage and laid the foundations for a sizeable score. Both fell in quick succession but Jack Redshaw (22) and Tom Wood (14) continued the scoring. Yorkshire finished on a respectable 220-7.
In reply, Nottinghamshire never really got going against some tight Yorkshire bowling and excellent fielding. Redshaw struck two early blows, taking 2-8. Finlay Hill took 3-16, coming on first change, while Joshua Hoyle was the pick of the spinners, picking up 2-6 in a short spell. Mahmood, with a rare appearance at the bowling crease, had figures of 2-0 as Nottinghamshire capitulated to 98ao in 29.5 overs.
A pleasing start to the three day trip to Rugby School.
Lancashire U13 107-7 beat Yorkshire U13 98-? by 9 runs.
Day 2 saw Yorkshire play two T20 games against Lancashire and Staffordshire.
In the first game, Yorkshire faced a strong Lancashire squad. Batting first, Lancashire scored a par score of 107-7 in their 20 overs on a pitch that was hard to score on.
Yorkshire were never up with the run rate and fell agonisingly short with the later order hitting out but just failing to get over the line.
Yorkshire U13 98-7 (Jawad Akhtar 34*) lost to Staffordshire U13 102-2 by 8 wickets.
After a substantial lunch, Yorkshire batted first on the same wicket used for the Lancashire fixture.
Again, runs were hard to come by against some accurate Staffordshire bowling. Only Jawad Akhtar (34*) really came to terms with the conditions as Yorkshire scored a par score of 98-7.
In reply, the Staffordshire batsmen were more aggressive. Only the introduction of Finlay Hill and Josh Hen-Boisen slowed the scoring. However, Staffordshire cruised home with over four overs to go.
A disappointing day of T20 cricket with many lessons learned for the future.
Yorkshire U13 173-8 (Noah Kelly 105*, Jack Redshaw 32) beat Warwickshire U13 165-7 by 8 runs.
Day 3 saw Yorkshire face Warwickshire - a dress rehearsal for the Northern Counties Cup Final to follow on Sunday.
Yorkshire batted first and were soon 20-6 and up against it, against some of the best pace bowling seen at U13 level this season. Step to the crease - Noah Kelly. In a mature innings, with support from Jack Redshaw (32), Tom Wood (8) and Finlay Hill (9*), Kelly guided Yorkshire to a respectable 173-9 in their 45 overs; Kelly finishing on 105* (his 5th century of the season).
After lunch, the bowlers then did their job. Warwickshire were pegged back, with all the bowlers bowling economical spells to restrict Warwickshire to 165-7 and a great win to complete the tour.
Sunday would see Yorkshire face Warwickshire again in the Northern Counties Cup Final at Woodhouse Grange CC, near York.
Northern Counties Cup Final
Warwickshire U13 190-8 lost to Yorkshire U13 191-5 (Noah Chapman 40, Noah Kelly 54*, Jack Redshaw 48*) by 5 wickets.
On Sunday, Yorkshire U13 entertained Warwickshire U13 at Woodhouse Grange CC, having finished top of the group, winning six of their seven qualifying games - their only loss coming against Warwickshire earlier in the season.
Warwickshire elected to bat upon winning the toss and got off to a steady start against the new ball partnership of Jack Redshaw and Leo Wilson. However, the batsman never really got the scoreboard flowing. Louie Owens and Jawad Akhtar kept the scoring to a minimum but it wasn't until the introduction of Joshua Hoyle that the first wicket fell with the score on 73 in the 26th over. A direct hit run out from Tom Wood and a wicket for Owens in the same over left Warwickshire on 105-3 after 31 overs. A score of around 160 looked probable. However, some good batting and, at times, sloppy fielding let Warwickshire score at over a run a ball in the last 10 overs, finishing on a useful 190-8 in their 45 overs. Redshaw finished with 2-39 and Owens 2-33.
In reply, Yorkshire got off to a similar start, with Rohan Ratnalingam (12) and Noah Chapman (40) seeing off the new ball. Ratnalingham fell at 38, which brought Noah Kelly to the crease. The score moved to 75 before Chapman fell trying to up the tempo. Sabir Mahmood joined Kelly and took the score past 100; both looking comfortable. However Mahmood (12) tried to hit the leg spinner over the top and was caught at mid off, causing a mini collapse as Tom Burton (0) and Akhtar (1) both fell cheaply, leaving Yorkshire on 132-5 with only 11 overs left. Redshaw then changed the game in one over, hitting the leg spinner for 13. Combined with some excellent running and powerful hitting, a difficult target changed into a canter to victory, with Redshaw blasting a six out of the ground and into the nearby farmer's field to take the Yorkies past the Warwickshire score. Redshaw finished on 48* off only 21 balls, while captain, Kelly, finished on 54*.
A magnificent victory, to finish off a really successful season, with six overs to spare!
Coach, Ghulam Rafique, and Manager, Andy Inns, would like to thank all the boys who have played this season and wish them all the success in their future development. Many thanks must also go to the parents, grandparents and siblings for their fantastic support both home and away!