North Midd won all 3 Group matches and their semi final beating strong teams from Birmingham, Leicester and Derby on the way. Opponents in the Final were Derby Cobras, the defending champs and serial winners of this Trophy. The Cobras defended the last 2 balls to win by 5.

Apart from "veteran" Skipper Matt Cracknell (21), the rest of our hugely talented Squad were U18 or younger so still plenty of time for them to win this Trophy in the future.

In case you are becoming confused in addition to this success, North Midd won the U17 National title in Birmingham in February and our U15s are through to the National Finals to be played in Birmingham next Saturday (10 March).

Match Reports

The week’s build up to the event dominated by the weather. But with players committed & management determined, the start of the thaw seemed timely for the 226 mile round trip.
2 groups of 4, semis & a final, high standard sides but a combative unit gave coach Teesdale faith in a rotation / rest policy which saw the continually improving Oli Morgan as the unlucky one to miss out the final & the only player to be on every winning side.

Early group games, Northern Knights were negotiated comprehensively, AS Jamia, whose senior side dominated the country Man City style, would be tough as it turned out. Shared skins, a Jamia MVP but the game ultimately determined by an irresistible partnership between Matt & Joe Cracknell who scored 39 for the 4th skin.

A 2 & 1/2 hour break before Leicester Boys. 2 huge partnerships from Ben Waine & Luke Hollman in the 1st skin & the Cracknell Boys in the 4th ensured victory but there remained plenty of room to improve for the semi v C&R Hawks.

Consistency achieved then ! Hugh Teesdale’s booming outswing & unfussy batting, Henry Howeld’s steadyiness & athletic fielding at the back stumps, Ben Waine & Max Harris genuinely quick bowling, Oli Morgan’s ever improving especially with the bat, Billy Blyghton continuing to raise & live with the standards on show, Matt’s experience & calm leadership & Joe & Luke’s understated game changing impact. Hawks swept aside favorite Derby Cobras ahead.

It was a 10 pm finish when the England vice captain defended the final 2 balls from Hugh’s last 2 balls securing a 5 run win. Too many swings in the game to report but for the 2nd tournament running Joe Cracknell was the final’s MVP but sadly no trophy to take down the M1 & just the consolation of Luke’s tournament MVP.
Great organisation, a great day out.

Luke with his Tournament MVP pot.

Scorecards/Table

See attached doc.