By Tariq Rahim. This post first appeared on the Oxfordshire Cricket website.
Wolvercote Cricket Club’s under 15s recently finished among the top 12 clubs in the country. Their campaign in the ECB U15 National Competition took them from local glory in Oxfordshire to the regional finals in Sussex, where they faced some of the strongest youth sides in the nation.
County Cup Finals Day – 6 July
The road to nationals began in style at the Oxfordshire County Cup Finals Day. In the semi-final against Tiddington CC, Wolvercote were set a target of 130 after Daniel Tervet (25) and Richard Barnes (17*) anchored the innings for their opponents. Wolvercote’s reply was measured but confident, with skipper Tom Bratby (27), Hugo du Plessis (25), Suleiman Ayyaz (27*), and Max Lucking (18) guiding them home for a 4-wicket win.
The final saw Wolvercote defend their title against Cropredy CC. Batting first, they compiled 135-6, built on a fluent 48 from Archie Ricks, a composed 31 from du Plessis, and a valuable unbeaten 20 from Lucking. Cropredy pushed hard in reply, with Henry Downes (26) leading the chase, but Wolvercote’s bowlers Harry Bewes and Frazer Ashton (two wickets apiece) and sharp fielding, including run outs from Bratby and Archie Logue, secured a 20-run win and back-to-back county crowns.
National Rounds
A bye in Round 1 set up a clash with Berkshire champions Wokingham CC. After being asked to field, Wolvercote’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to restrict the opposition to 108-4. The chase was clinical Evan Cowley (43 off 30) and Olly Beard (35 off 20) provided the platform, before Ricks (11*) and Bratby (16*) saw the team home in the 15th over for a 7-wicket win and a ticket to the Regional Finals Day in Sussex.
Regional Finals Day
Semi-final
At Horsham, Wolvercote faced a polished Sunbury CC side in the semi-final. Winning the toss and batting first, Wolvercote struggled to build momentum in challenging conditions. Cowley (22) and Ricks (24) were the main contributors in a total of 91-9 from 20 overs, with Sunbury’s Albert Connors (2-22) and Alfie Granger (2-17) causing the most damage.
In reply, Sunbury’s captain Charlie Maunders anchored the chase with an unbeaten 41. Two wickets from Billy Vallings offered a flicker of hope, but Sunbury crossed the line in the 17th over for an 8-wicket win, sending Wolvercote into the third-place playoff.
Third-place Playoff
Determined to finish strongly, Wolvercote produced a spirited performance against Tuddenham CC. Choosing to field, they overcame an erratic start to bowl out their opponents for 96 in under 12 overs. Bewes starred with 3-28, Logue claimed 2-13, and a run-out from Cowley added to the pressure.
The chase was assertive, with Lucking (18), du Plessis (20), and Bratby (11) making key contributions. Vallings (8*) and Beard (5*) finished the job, steering Wolvercote to 97-6 in the 14th over and securing third place in the region and a top 12 place in the country.
Summary
From retaining their county title to earning a spot among the top 12 U15 teams in the country, Wolvercote’s campaign was built on teamwork, resilience, and key performances in crunch moments.