HUDDERSFIELD New College Academy cricketers are preparing for their biggest-ever encounter on Wednesday, when they set out to win the National Schools Under 17 cricket tournament with a Cup final appearance in Oxford.

Coach and team manager Dave Weston will take his side down the M1 to Cumnor Cricket Club who are hosting the National final against Filton College from Bristol, for the 40-overs-a-side clash, which gets under way at 1pm.

Weston has named a 12-man squad, but will probably delay his final selection until the day of the game.

“We don’t know anything about the Filton College team, apart from the fact they are coached by former Gloucestershire county player Tim Hancock,” admitted Weston.

“Obviously they must be a decent side to get through to the final after beating all the teams in the southern area, so we’ll make a decision on the starting 11 when we know what we are up against and what the track looks like.”

Golcar’s Eddie Wilson is one of New College’s leading talents, having played several games for Yorkshire Seconds this season, and having made a crucial 79 in the semi-final victory over Bedford School in Northamptonshire.

Wilson was also in form for Yorkshire’s Under 17s when he scored 76 in helping them defeat Surrey at Grace Road in the final of the National County Championship knockout.

Scholes’ Tom Boorman is another key player for the Salendine Nook outfit, but who missed an earlier round after picking up a hand injury.

In all, Huddersfield clubs have eight players in Weston’s 12-strong squad, three of whom come from Broad Oak.

The full squad is:

Eddie Wilson and Chris Chapman (both Golcar), Oliver Ashford (East Bierley), Joe Bowman (Cleckheaton), Jack Hendy (Elland), Tom Boorman (Scholes), Dan Rushworth, Alex Walker and Conor Woodruff (all Broad Oak), Jonny Hoyle (Almondbury Wes), Tom Lightfoot and Jacob Waterson (both Lightcliffe).