After qualifying for the championship play offs, winning 5 games out of five and unbeaten in all competition, expectation was high. The final squad of 13 was selected with difficulty as every single player who represented the U15 made significant contributions with either bat, ball or in the field.
The opening game was seen as a tough draw. The feeling within the squad was a quiet contentment and that perhaps Lancashire should be more worried about Kent than vice-versa. Lancashire deciding to bowl first the weather intervened. Several hours of watching heavy rain led to an early lunch. After several inspections play started at 2.00. Daniel Bell-Drummond was superbly caught by a diving second slip causing some hurried activity in the Kent dressing room. However, this was to be the only excitement before the premature close of play after 12 overs when a heavy deluge signalled the close of play for the day, with Kent on 36-1. The game was abandoned as a draw with 6 points each to all teams.
Day 2 was a different proposition. After winning the toss against Yorkshire and deciding to make use of any moisture in the largely uncovered pitch from the day before Yorkshire were reduced to 144 all out off of 49.1 overs, allowing Kent to take at least 7 extra overs if needed. An excellent fielding display, with outstanding catches from Adam Ball and Jack Robertson underpinned superb bowling from Fabien Cowdrey - 5-28, Tom Chapman - 2-19 and
Matt Greenwood - 1-7.
Confidence was again high that the score could be chased down, despite gathering clouds. Yorkshire took several early wickets, however, a very solid 57 from Bell-Drummond showed his character to bounce back from the previous days disappointment to anchor the team home. The job was finished by Tom Chapman (10*) and Matt Greenwood (9*) in the 50th over.
After hearing of Lancashires demolition job on Wales a tense final day was set up. However, we still felt favourites as Yorkshire were confident of beating their arch rivals in an U15 Roses Match.
Once again clear blue skies greeted the players on the final day of competition. Kent won the toss and again elected to bowl, sticking to the formula that has served them well throughout the season. Wales were forced into some rash decisions and reduced to 30 for 4, when a solid partnership from the England U15 captain Salter started to offer some resistance. A rush of blood spelled the end for Salter when he was bowled attempting a reverse sweep 2 overs before lunch for 49. This spelled trouble for Wales as they lost a further 2 wickets cheaply before lunch.
After lunch Wales tail wagged and forced the Kent bowlers to toil for the final wicket. They ended up on 136 all out from 56.1 overs, denying Kent any additional overs. The pick of the Kent bowling was Charley Nash with 4-39, Fabien Cowdrey 2-26 and Joe Pigott 2-17. Again good ground fielding pressurised the Welsh batsmen throughout the innings, in particular Jack Masters.
The reply started at express pace. Daniel Bell-Drummond played superbly for his 84. Adam Ball played aggressive cricket to knock off the runs, hitting the winning runs with a superb pull shot, supported by his captain, Fabien Cowdrey. The victory target of 137 was achieved in 28.2 overs with the loss of just 2 wickets.
Kent had won the County Championship!!
Many thanks to Gary Metcalfe (Manager) for compiling the report