As the Sun Bank Under 15 Championships reached their climax at Shenley Cricket Club, Ralph Dellor spoke to those involved and some of the famous names in attendance. 28k-ISDN

Shrewsbury Cricket Club has won the 2002 Sun Bank Under 15 National Club Championship after trouncing Cardiff Cricket Club in the national final by 46 runs. The Shropshire side therefore lifted the Harry Secombe Cup for the first time in its history, victors over a record entry list of 1,517 clubs throughout the UK.

Hosted at Hertfordshire's picturesque Shenley Cricket Club, Shrewsbury defeated Fenner CC in the semi-final by a comfortable eight wickets. Restricting the Yorkshire club to just 77 runs in their 20 overs, Shrewsbury cruised to victory in the 14th over thanks to number four batsman, Joe Hart, who eased his side home with 34 not out, having earlier taken an impressive three wickets for 19 runs.

Cardiff, who beat Horsham in the semis, were swept away in the final. Robert Foster top scored with 46 as Shrewsbury set a challenging target of 129, and team captain James Gale then dismissed the Cardiff's first three batsmen as the Welsh side were skittled out for 83 in 16 overs.

So Shrewsbury won the tournament, becoming Shropshire's first ever champions of the prestigious 30-year-old competition, in a finals day made even more memorable by the presence of Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart and Alex Tudor from the England men's team, and Clare Connor and Isa Guha from the England women's side amongst the 300-strong crowd.

Mark Campkin, ECB Competitions Manager, underlined the success of the day, "As ever it has been a fantastic occasion. All four teams did tremendously well to get to the final, but well done to Shrewsbury who took the overall honours.

"Over 16,000 boys have benefited this year from this expanding competition, which provides the perfect stage for aspiring junior cricketers to show their skills. The ECB is extremely grateful to Sun Bank for their outstanding contribution to the grass roots of the game."

Semi-finals
Cardiff 109-4 (20 overs; Owain Williams 53*) beat Horsham 73 (17.1 overs; Mohammed Usman 3-21)
Fenner 77-9 (20 overs; Joe Hart 3-19) lost to Shrewsbury 79-2 (13.2 overs)

Final
Shrewsbury 129-8 (20 overs; Robert Foster 46, Stephen Johns 3-14) beat Cardiff (16 overs; James Gale 3-20)

© ECB 2002