KIRKBURTON Middle School are celebrating after their Under 13 team produced some tremendous performances to win the YP Cup at county cricket headquarters Headingley.
It is the first time in 14 years of the competition that a Middle School have reached the final, never mind won it, so the youngsters, and the school, can be very proud of their achievements.
In what proved a cliff-hanger of a final they beat St Aidan’s, (Harrogate) on fewer wickets lost, after previously disposing of Driffield in the semis.
St Aidan’s batted first in the final and a series of fluent boundaries brought them a respectable 103 all out, which would have been more but for some super fielding from Josh Scott who took three superb catches, and some fine bowling from Jimmy Burke, who finished with four for 16 off four overs, and George Burrell with three for 25 from four.
Arran Turner also shone with a double wicket maiden over in his first spell.
Kirkburton’s response got off to a slow start and they managed only 22 runs from the first eight overs.
St Aidan’s were on top at this stage but Scott led the response and a superb six over square leg from George Burrell gave them hope.
With one over to go nine runs were needed but Scott’s departure swung the game back in St Aidan’s favour.
The target became realistic, however, when two wides were awarded and in their anxiety St Aidan’s gave away runs with overthrows. One run was needed off the last ball to tie and a tap on the onside from Bradley Bond enabled a scrambled run, and Kirkburton won by losing fewer wickets. The school have been taking part in the Chance to Shine coaching scheme at Kirkburton CC and this appears to be paying off.
The squad was: Ryan Murfin, Ryan Clarke, Arran Turner, Jonny Hoyle, Tom Halton, Bradley Bond, Luke Jackson, George Burrell, Jake Turner, Josh Scott, Jimmy Burke, Jonathan Clarke.
