The sun was shining for the final Under-15 junior cricket match of the season, that saw Bedford Cricket Club crowned champions of the Bedfordshire Youth Cricket League, providing a fitting conclusion for most of the players in their final ‘junior’ game.
A good hearted and competitive match was played on the show pitch at Dunstable Town Cricket Club, as the winners of the Under-15 North Group, Bedford met the winners of the South group, Flitwick in a blockbuster bank holiday finale.
Bedford reached the final courtesy of eight regular league wins out of ten, beating second placed, Elstow to the showpiece while Flitwick narrowly beat strong Luton-based opposition in Luton Town and Indians and Lutonian to book their final place.
Electing to bat first, Flitwick could only amass 114; the spin of Hrishi Sharma and Karanbir Benipal strangling the first eight overs with a wicket apiece, before Tanishk Barve came on to bowl in the middle overs to pick up 3-26.
Miles Trueman also bowled excellently at the death, ending with figures of 3-9 as he and Alex Sawyer restricted Flitwick to just 20 runs from their final five overs.
Vandit Maram top scored for Flitwick with 34.
The chase was a relatively serene and comfortable one as Sharma opened the batting alongside Aahil Fazil with both reaching the Under-15 retirement mark of 30 not out, before handing over to Sawyer who saw the side home with an unbeaten 23.
The Bedford coaching staff were also keen to earmark Aidan Moore who turned out for his team with “one good leg” after sustaining a knee injury.
It marks a successful end for the latest crop of junior players, many of whom will now go on to the longer formats of adult cricket, with a trophy to celebrate, although there are a few younger players who will aim to kick on towards regional and national finals next year.
Earlier in the season, Bedford missed out on what would have been the first instalment of a league and cup double, losing by a single run to Lutonian in the Under-15 County Cup, with Lutonian progressing to the semi-final stage of the national competition.
“Both teams played in a wonderfully sporting fashion and were both competitive and respectful,” noted Bedford coach, Tony Sawyer after the league’s final on Bank Holiday Monday (25 August).
“The umpires mentioned how pleasant both teams were.
“The whole team were excellent in the field, there was only one wide and a small spattering of byes for the whole 20 overs and barely a fielding error.
“I look forward to the younger Under-15s taking the leadership roles next season and retaining the spirit of cricket that Mark has fostered for this team this season. I hope they make it to the finals days next year!”
Bedford Cricket Club’s junior awards night caps another season on 5 September at The Bury, while both adult Sunday teams look to mark their seasons with promotion from Division One and Division Three of the Bedfordshire County Cricket League.
