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Regional Final Results

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The best young Club talent in the country gathers in Basingstoke tomorrow for the National Finals of the 2000 Sun Life Financial of Canada Under 15 Club Championship in front of a star-studded array of international cricketers, past and present.

Four teams of youngsters from Derbyshire, Surrey, Norfolk and Hampshire have triumphed from a starting field of 1479 Clubs around the UK for a coveted finals place in the competition, run by the England and Wales Cricket Board and now in its 23rd year.

Fresh from his magnificent two-day victory over West Indies in the fourth Cornhill Test, England captain Nasser Hussain will be casting his eye over the aspiring hopefuls looking for exceptional performers who in a few years, may be knocking on his door.

He will be joined by West Indies batting legend Brian Lara and his teammate Franklyn Rose, en route from Headingley to Taunton where they take on Somerset in their last match before the Test finale at the Fosters Oval next week.

England bowler Dean Headley and South African great Barry Richards will also be at the May’s Bounty Ground tomorrow to give their encouragement to the best young Club cricketers in the country.

Each of the four teams has reached the final by progressing through its county competitions to winning one of four regional finals. Denby Cricket Club from Derbyshire will compete against Diss Cricket Club of Norfolk, Banstead Cricket Club of Surrey and Lock Heath CC from Hampshire.

Mick Glenn, Denby CC Under 15 Team Manager, said: "I have been with the team since they were 10 years old and they have not lost a match in league cricket for the last three years, although we have lost the odd cup match in that period.

"Many of the side have progressed through the youth development system of the club and some have even played senior cricket this season. We have good youth coaching at Denby CC and we are very geared towards helping the younger cricketers. By reaching the finals we have certainly showed the benefit of this approach to our young players."

The Derbyshire team reached the final by winning northern regional finals at York Cricket Club last week. It beat Nottinghamshire’s Southwell Cricket Club in the semi-finals by nine wickets before defeating Keswick Cricket Club (Cumbria) in the regional final by a comfortable 57 run margin.

For Banstead CC, the ride into the finals was more bumpy but the youngsters were excited at the prospect of becoming the first Surrey team to take the title.

Under 15 Team Manager, Steve Burn commented: “We have had some very close games so far and we have had our share of luck. But after being without four of our key players, we now have our strongest team available since we won the Surrey county stage of the competition.

"We are all very much looking forward to the games and the players are very excited. In fact one player is returning early from holiday in Zurich, and another delaying his holiday to Portugal in order to play!"

Matches are 20 overs-a-side with a limit of four overs maximum per bowler and the winner of each semi-final will play in the final, which begins at 2.15pm. Play starts at 10.30am.

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