Former Surrey player David Ward explains how his Banstead Under 15 side triumphed in the Sun Life Financial of Canada Under 15 Club Championships Sun Life Financial of Canada to continue to sponsor the Under 15 championships in 2001

Banstead became the first Surrey side to win the Sun Life Financial of Canada Under 15 Club Championships today after a thrilling four run victory over Diss in the finals at Basingstoke.

With two wickets remaining and 11 runs required from the final nerve-jangling over, the Norfolk side were handed two free runs when Banstead bowler Dougie Hastings bowled a wide and a no ball but the 14 year-old from Epsom College kept his cool to ensure Diss fell short of the target.

After making 115 for six in their 20 over innings, Banstead had been facing defeat at the half way stage when Diss openers David Took and Ben Patstone put on 52 for the first wicket.

But a collapse which saw six wickets fall for 20 runs set up an enthralling end and the Banstead youngsters, coached by former Surrey players David Ward and Neil Kendrick kept up the pressure with some razor sharp fielding and clever bowling, all watched by England captain Nasser Hussain and West Indian batting legend Brian Lara.

Will Lewis made 14 from 15 balls to raise his side's hopes before he became the victim of a stunning diving catch at mid on by John Bailey off Alex Cama’s bowling and despite some determined batting from tailenders Richard West and Ben Beckford, it was Banstead that held out to win the 23rd Sun Life Financial Trophy.

Banstead brothers Sam and Nick Woodward, both Surrey County youth players, earlier formed a match-winning partnership of 48 to boost their total, 31 runs coming the final two overs.

Sam, the older brother who captains his county side, made an unbeaten 45 from 39 balls while Nick, a wicketkeeper with Surrey's Under 13 squad, finished with 14 not out from just eight balls.

"We were in a tight situation when Sam was at the wicket but Nick came in and must have told him to buck his ideas up because off they went and did a great job in getting the 40 odd at the end there which won us the game.

"Nearly 1500 clubs go in for this competition so it is a superb achievement for the youngsters. Along the way we have seen some great cricket and I think we have been fortunate to have huge depth and bundles of talent and a bit of luck," he said.

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