News

Bristol team win Lord's Taverners Under 14 Cup

30 August 2012

A team of youngsters from Bristol have become the inaugural winners of the Lord’s Taverners Under 14 Inner City Federation Cup. 

The side – who included players from Pak Bristolians, Knowle, Bedminster, Phoenix West Indians and YMCA - won all four of their matches to claim the trophy in style.  

They also triumphed in the individual honours with Bristol boys making a clean sweep of the awards.

Bilal Raja, from Pak Bristolians, was named the tournament’s top batsman, scoring 197 runs including 64 in the final.  Bedminster’s Ethan Flanagan took the bowling prize after picking up nine wickets, while the most improved player award went to Vishal Mamgai, of Phoenix West Indians.

Captain Joe McKimm, of YMCA took home the Spirit of Cricket award.

None of the team had played any form of representative cricket before the three-day festival at Arundel which also featured sides from Tottenham, West Ham and Bow Water Farm.

Five of the youngsters had never even played club cricket having been spotted during the Gloucestershire Cricket Board’s Street Chance sessions.   

Coach, Olly Ralph, said: “We were the best side by far so we deserved to win but we just had to go out and do it. Other sides you knew you only had to get through the top order and they didn’t have anything left but we were strong all the way down from one to 11.

“The boys really enjoyed it. They had a great time, it was a really good experience for them and to win was the icing on the cake.” 

GCB Cricket Development Manager, Steve Silk, said the team’s success showed the value of the Street Chance scheme which gives young players in inner city areas a chance to get involved in the game.  

He said: “It is a fantastic achievement and shows that schemes like Street Chance are having a positive impact.

“The fact that five of the players didn’t belong to a club and had never played a competitive match before shows the wealth of talent and unearthed gems out there.” 

For more information on Street Chance or to get involved in the scheme contact GCB Development Officer Chris Munden on 07557924941 at chris.munden@glosccc.co.uk or drop into one of the sessions below. 

Hengrove Leisure Centre, The Boulevard, Hengrove Park, Bristol BS14 0JZ (every Friday, 5pm-7pm)

Action Indoor Sports, Bamfield, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0XA (every Wednesday 5pm-7pm)

Oasis Brightstowe Academy, Penpole Lane, Shirehampton, Bristol, BS11 0EB (every Monday, 6pm-7.30pm)

Easton Leisure Centre, Thrissell Street, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0SW (every Monday 4.30pm-6pm starting September 17)

The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, BS10 5PY (Tuesday nights 5.30pm-7pm starting September 18)

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