New College Pontefract’s cricket team travelled to Cannock Cricket Club in the Midlands to face Truro-Penrith and Derby in the national T20 finals this week. The team was in a confident mood after finishing runners up in the national indoor cricket finals earlier this year. In their first game of the round robin finals, the New College bowlers got of to a good start, all bowling economically and each taking a wicket. Truro-Penrith put up a reachable total of 120-4 for their 20 overs. Unfortunately New College’s top order decided to run each other out, leaving George Tinker and Owen Leith having to put up some late resistance but the target was too high and they ended with 80-4. This left a must win match again Derby, the side that had beaten them in the indoor cricket finals.
Game 2 saw Derby bat first. Tim Turner and Connor Fisher bowled incredibly well with figures of 3-16 and 2-13 respectively. Along with the tight bowling, the fielding was particularly good with Morgan Tucker taking a magnificent catch on the boundary to send the opponents top batter back to the pavilion. Derby ended their innings on just 94-4. New College slowly chased the total down but almost didn’t make it, 3 runs were required to tie from the final ball but David Tomlinson became the hero hitting a boundary to take NC to 95-3 and victory.
With Derby defeating Truro-Penrith the honours were shared with each team both winning a losing a game. A outstanding achievement from what has been a outstanding team all year.