Shropshire Star

Thomas Telford take their chance to net county title

Thomas Telford School claimed the crown in the Shropshire Chance to Compete Indoor Under-15s finals despite a scare in their group games.

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They beat William Brookes School from Much Wenlock by three wickets to take the title on finals day at Shrewsbury Sports Village.

It was a closely-fought final between the two teams with each seemingly in control of the game at different times.

William Brookes batted first, and despite rare failures from their leading batsmen Dan Searle and Toby Jones, they managed to set a challenging target of 56-7 in their seven overs.

In reply, Thomas Telford were always up with the run rate but saw wickets fall at regular intervals. But they held their nerve to win by three wickets and claim the title.

Competition organiser Darrell Corfield said: "Congratulations to Thomas Telford, and well done to all the other teams that made it through to finals day. It was a great day of competition and there were some fine individual performances in some tight matches, which was good to see."

In their group, Thomas Telford found themselves up against Bridgnorth Endowed and Charlton School from Wellington.

In the opening game, Endowed won the toss and asked Charlton to bat and they posted 75-8.

In reply, Endowed flew out of the blocks with Jake Millichamp top scoring with 26. They were in the box seat until a fine wicket maiden by spinner Tom Davies helped Charlton slow the run rate as Endowed to finished on 48-8.

The next group match saw Endowed score 60-7 against Thomas Telford.

Thomas Telford were favourites going into the last over with 12 needed for victory, but some great bowling from the Endowed's captain Ben Cresswell saw his side prevail by two runs.

Thomas Telford and Charlton went to the last group match knowing that all three could still progress to the final and it showed as Charlton batted first and struggled to 42.

Thomas Telford, knowing that net run rate would be decisive, went about their task with gusto and they overhauled Charlton in the fourth over to top the group.

So, net run rate was the deciding factor and it was Thomas Telford who progressed leaving Charlton in second with The Endowed in third.

Although the matches in Group Two were tight, it was William Brookes who won both games to move through to the final, chasing down 64 to defeat Church Stretton and then overcoming Meole Brace by four runs.

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