3rd Place at Table Cricket National Finals

Well done to Jack Warriner, Toby Cox, Max Dewfall, Owen Jones and Daniel Ford.

In the ten years that BSCS has been participating in table cricket, this year has been, without question, our most successful. Our team, who were crowned county and South West champions in tournaments earlier in the year, topped this last Thursday by finishing 3^rd place in the national final at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. To put this achievement into perspective, in the spring 8000 players took part in 38 county competitions and from this our 5 students have battled through to be ranked in the top three teams in the country.

Certain things are required to be a formidable sports team. These are: camaraderie, team-spirit and belief and this team has them all. A competent all-round performance eased them to victory in their opening group game, making 184/0 with the bat. Captain Daniel kept the team focussed and well-organised for the duration and Owen was instrumental in easing nerves and instilling confidence.

Shrewd bowling from last year’s champions prevented them from capitalising in their second match but they were unphased and bounced back with a massive win in the next bout. Toby, Jack and Dan gave a batting masterclass for which Dan was awarded batter of the tournament), netting a startling 300/2 and fielding excellence from Max and Owen saw off any chance of a backlash.

Round four saw a more modest batting performance but despite setting a mediocre 242 target they shut up shop in the field, picking up a tournament high of 14 wickets, with Max and Toby taking three and four catches respectively with the ramp.

In their final group game, only Jack’s bowling shone in an all-round lacklustre affair, where they narrowly missed out in a match that could’ve gone either way. The loss made no difference in the final standings with BSCS’s superior run average earning them a place in the 3^rd place match.

Undeterred by their prior defeat, the team were focussed and organised and approached the 3^rd place match as though it was a final. In the main BSCS found little space to capitalise with the bat but Max, who (despite suffering with blurred vision) was consistently excellent with both bat and ball all day, put in yet another incredible batting performance that ultimately gave them the edge. Max was equally incredible with the bowling ramp and in an excruciatingly tight game that went to the penultimate ball, BSCS were again able to contain their opposition with their fielding precision.

This season’s success is in no small part down to the tireless efforts of our Young leaders, Chloe Barley, Jack Coffin, Josh Taylor, Thomas Day, Addison Sullivan and Theo Lovell. They have supported the team throughout the year at every training session and competitive fixture. Jack, Josh, Chloe, Tom and Addi joined ECB umpires to officiate in matches at the final (Theo was unfortunately unable to join them) where they again demonstrated the rare qualities of consistency, authority and humility that only the best sports officials possess. Without them there would be no Table Cricket at BSCS.