Teams from Cardiff, Neath-Port Talbot, Monmouthshire, and Wrexham County Borough took part in the Cricket Wales U13 and U15 finals, with Neath CC winning the U13 title and Cardiff CC winning at U15 level.
Three regional winners from the South West, South East and North took part in the tournaments at the SSE Swalec (formerly Swalec Stadium, Sophia Gardens) in Cardiff – home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club and a host venue for the 2015 Ashes.
The U13 competition was reduced to 10 overs per side, after heavy rain washed out the morning’s play, and opened with Chepstow beating Neath by just two runs – scoring 90-7 in their 10 overs before Neath fell just short on 88-3.
Neath then beat Llay Welfare by reaching 83-0 in 8.3 overs to pass the North Wales team’s total of 82-2.
In the final game, Llay Welfare beat Chepstow by passing their opponents’ 10-over total of 81-4 with just two balls left. With each team having won a match, the title was decided on net run rate, with Neath coming out on top.
In the U15s Twenty20 tournament, Cardiff opened with a 61-run over Neath – scoring 176-5, they then restricted Neath to 115-2,
In the second match, Neath then lost to Gresford – reaching 107-5 when chasing 152-3. Neath captain, Tiaan Thomas Wheeler scored a not-out half-century in both games.
Cardiff secured the title with a 49-run win over Gresford in the last game – the North Wales team being all-out for 83, chasing Cardiff’s total of 135-5.
“The national finals are always a great event for our young club cricketers, and this year the U13 competition was so close, it was decided on net run rate – providing a very exciting climax to the cup season,” said Cricket Wales chief executive, Peter Hybart. “The teams who get this far are all champions, and they relished the chance to play in such a prestigious venue.
“We are very grateful to Glamorgan County Cricket Club for staging the finals in such a busy season – the prospect of playing in an international venue was an added incentive for all the teams.
“Thanks also to Ted Tipper for organising the competition all season, and to the Glamorgan players, who presented the trophies – Dewi Penrhyn-Jones, who once played in the competition for Brymbo CC, who made the U13 presentation, and Jacques Rudolph and Colin Ingram, who presented the U15 awards.”
Cricket Wales is the national governing body for junior and recreational senior cricket in Wales. It works closely with Glamorgan County Cricket Club, which governs the men’s professional game. For information visit www.cricketwales.org.uk
