Broadstairs crowned national U13 champions

Broadstairs became the first Kent club to win the NatWest National Under 13 title, in some style at Rugby School.

The three-times Kent champions were crowned National Club Champions on Tuesday at the National Finals Day after victories against York and Walmley.

The ECB make a great occasion of the finals, putting the boys up the night before at the school, carrying out the draw for the semi finals in front of the teams that evening after dinner, providing the teams' kits, the choice of walk-out music and a commentator on the microphone all day, all making a cracking atmosphere.

This is the culmination of a competition involving over 1600 clubs at the start of the season. The three other teams battling it out on Finals Day with Broadstairs for the top spot were Walmley (Warwickshire), Cirencester CC (Gloucestershire) and York CC (Yorkshire).

The 12 match journey began right back at the start of May with a victory away to Sandwich Town. Four victories against Margate, Canterbury, Meopham and Chestfield culminated in a Kent Cup Final against a very strong Bexley side on June 24.

The final was originally going to be held at Polo Farm but the very wet spell meant the pitch at Canterbury was unplayable and the match was played at Broadstairs instead.

After victory in the County Final, all the remaining matches were played away from home, the next two on July 17, at Sanderstead CC.

The first round of the London and East Stage was against St James's Montefiore CC (Sussex) and the 2nd Round was against the Surrey champions Spencer CC.

Back-to-back victories at Sanderstead took the team onto the London and East Finals hosted by Horsham CC which brought together the County Champions from Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Essex.

Heavy rain meant the semi-final against Henley (Berkshire) was reduced to 10 overs and Broadstairs posted the unassailable score of 118.

The 20 over final against Brentwood (Essex) was a much closer affair and in the end, Broadstairs were able to defend a score of 105, bowling the opposition out for 79.

At the Final day on Tuesday, Broadstairs made it through the semi-final stage in the morning with a convincing win against York CC. In a nail-biting final against Walmley CC.

Broadstairs were eventual winners, successfully defending a moderate total of 99 with some outstanding bowling, fielding and all-round team spirit. They had the honour of receiving their trophy and medals from England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

Throughout the course of the competition, Broadstairs U13 scored a total of 1,587 runs over 217.5 overs (a rate of 7.3 runs per over), although in the Regional Final and National Final it was their bowling and fielding which proved to be the difference.