Shrewsbury School retain Silk Trophy

Westbury became the first batsman from the school to score 1,000 runs in a season since Nottinghamshire and England star James Taylor.

The talented youngster, who plays regularly for Worcestershire's second XI, matched Taylor's feat on the opening day of the tournament as Shrewsbury once again emerged victorious.

Shrewsbury's achievement is unprecedented as they continue to be the dominant force in the festival held at the end of the summer term.

Hilton College from Durban, South Africa – making their first appearance since 2009 – lined up alongside Eton, Oundle and Shrewsbury with all four schools playing each other in a 50-over format on a round-robin basis.

The first day saw Shrewsbury power to a resounding victory against Oundle.

Batting first, Shrewsbury made 233-7 from their 50 overs with a 130-run opening partnership between Westbury (57) and George Hargrave (72) the highlight.

It was a landmark innings for Westbury, who plays his club cricket for Himley in Division One of the Birmingham & District League.

He needed 43 to bring up four figures for the season playing for Shrewsbury School.

Oundle fell away from 114-3 to 127 all out as they were blown away by the pace bowling of Shrewsbury's England under-17 star George Panayi.

Next in line for Shrewsbury was a clash against the overseas students from Hilton. The South Africans started brightly but the efforts of Panayi (4-40) and Daniel Lloyd (4-42) eventually restricted them to 257-9.

Shrewsbury then failed to come to terms with the accuracy of the Hilton bowlers, losing their last seven wickets for 24 runs, as they slumped to their first defeat in the Silk Trophy since July 2011.

But there was still all to play for on day three with Shrewsbury, Hilton and Eton all having a chance of lifting the silverware.

Eton were in the driving seat with two wins out of two and, for the third consecutive day, Shrewsbury skipper George Lewis lost the toss and was invited to field by the Eton captain.

Some tight bowling by Shrewsbury ensured runs were at a premium, as Eton posted 237-9.

Shrewsbury, in reply, lost their talisman Westbury cheaply, unable to add to the six centuries he had scored this season. Hargrave (68) repaired the early damage before skipper Lewis took centre stage.

He played his finest innings during his three years in the first-team as he opted to take the attack to the Eton bowlers.

Lewis scored at better than a run a ball with his 74, complemented by the big-hitting Panayi, steering Shrewsbury to an impressive six-wicket victory.

Hilton signed off with a win over Oundle, so with three teams having two wins apiece, the calculators were quickly summoned.

Using the same net run rate formula as for the T20, Shrewsbury were adjudged the winners with a NRR of 8.50 against Hilton's 1.74 and Eton's 1.64.

Lewis and Panayi have played in all three of Shrewsbury's Silk Trophy triumphs – with Panayi also eligible to try for four in a row next year.