Date with Darren Gough the prize for Sun Life U15 Finalists (12 August 1999)

12 August 1999

Date with Darren Gough the prize for Sun Life U15 Finalists

ECB Media Release

Horsford C.C. from Norfolk and Old Xaverians C.C. from Lancashire are heading for a date with England fast bowler Darren Gough - after winning their way through to the national final of this year's Sun Life of Canada Under 15 Club Cricket Championship.

The two junior teams booked their place in the national final - to be staged at North Hants and Basingstoke CC on Tuesday, August 24 - after winning regional finals staged yesterday.

Horsford reached the final for the second year running after overcoming Burton Latimer (Northants), Moseley Ashfield (Warks) and Newport (Shropshire) in the Midlands regional final at Moseley C.C. In the North regional final at York C.C., Old Xaverians triumphed over Bramhall (Cheshire), Dawdon (Durham) and Morpeth (Northumberland).

Two other teams will join Horsford and Old Xaverians in the final after the two remaining regional finals are held next week.

Darren Gough will be joined by a host of other famous cricket names at this year's final including David Lloyd, David Gower, Derek Randall and Bill Frindall. The prize for the winners is an all-expenses paid coaching day with some of England's finest cricketers at the Indoor School, Dummer, Basingstoke.

A record entry of more than 1500 teams have taken part in the 20-Overs-a-side competition which was won last year by St Fagans C.C. from Cardiff. New England captain Nasser Hussain, Andrew Flintoff and Graham Thorpe are among a number of leading cricketers who participated in the competition as youngsters.

Sun Life of Canada Under 15 Club Championship Diary Dates:

Regional Finals:

Tuesday, August 17 at Horsham CC:

Hayes (Kent) High Wycombe (Bucks) Knebworth Park (Herts) Wokingham (Berks)

Wednesday August 18 at Bath CC:

Bournemouth (Dorset) Callington (Cornwall) Weston-super-Mare (Somerset) South Wilts (Wiltshire)

The ECB's Director of Cricket Operations, John Carr, said: "The record level of entries for the Sun Life of Canada competition is proof that cricket remains as popular as ever at grass roots level and we are grateful to Sun Life for their continued support."

For further information contact:

Andrew Walpole, ECB Media Relations Officer - 0171 4321252