Bath take honours on own patch

The talented young players from Bath Cricket Club won the south-west Regional Finals of the Portman Building Society National U15 Club Championship last week and are now one of just four teams left in the tournament from an original entry of 1603.

In the Regional Semi-final, the Hampshire county champions Hursley Park posted 103 for six at the end of their 20 overs. Alex Howorth took 3-15, skipper Harry Dorgan 2-22 and Ed Cook bowled the Hursley wicketkeeper Richard Conroy for 12.

Finalists: Bath's U15 team celebrate their passage to the 2003 finals in Bournemouth with Somerset CCC's Peter Bowler and their coach William Murrie

Bath reached their target comfortably for the loss of only three wickets. Top scorer was wicketkeeper Seb Perryman who made 39.

In the Regional Final, Bath batted first against Dorset champions Corfe Mullen. It looked as though nerves were playing a part in this match as wickets fell steadily and team manager Mandy Roe couldn't bear to watch. However, two lower order batsmen James Austwick (38) and Alex Howorth (31 not out) kept calm and a creditable total of 117 all out was on the board at the end of the innings.

Although the spectators were kept guessing for some time, Corfe Mullen went out of the competition when they were all out for 94, Bath's skipper taking 2-24 in this match.

Peter Bowler from Somerset CCC made the prize presentations and congratulated Bath on their performance, wishing them well in their next match.

The National Semi-finals and Final will be played at Bournemouth Sports Ground on Wednesday 27th August. The Semi-finals will start at 10.30 am with the two winners contesting the National Final at 2.15 pm in which First Class umpire Roy Palmer will be standing.

John Carr, Director of Cricket Operations at the England and Wales Cricket Board which administers the tournament said: "It's a great achievement to get to this stage. The U15's Finals Day is always a great event and in the past we've seen some excellent cricket and some close finishes."

A number of well-known past and present cricketers will be at Bournemouth to watch the young players in action - including Nasser Hussain who played in this championship himself in his youth. Nasser says: "We all know that grassroots development is vital for the future of the game and this competition plays an important role in producing the next generation of players. The Portman Building Society is playing a key role by supporting the championship."