High Tunsall’s best feats in Chance To Shine cricket finals

The Under 15 side finished fourth out of 4,000 schools despite losing both matches in the finals on Tuesday held at the County Ground, Northampton.

The team also received a coaching session from England women’s captain Charlotte Edwards.

Ben Holden, cricket coach and Head of Sport Science, said: “To come fourth out of 4,000 in the country is and outstanding achievement and reflects the pedigree of cricket in the town.”

High Tunstall represented the North of England in the finals held at the home of Northants County Cricket Club.

Holden said: “The chance to experience playing at a county ground and meet Charlotte Edwards is something the players will never forget.

“The boys were treated like pro’s, it was special and a day none of the boys will forget.”

He added: “This has been four years in the making. The team’s growth and development has been exceptional and this is a good sign off, I just hope they continue to play and continue to enjoy playing cricket at their clubs.”

The High Tunstall team for the finals was made up of Oliver Sherwood, Josh Noble, Will Griffiths, Jamie Rathbone, Adam Eglintine, Tom Hornsey, Matthew Guffick, Liam Docherty, Matthew Ridley and Sam Spindloe.

In the semi-final High Tunstall lost by 20 runs against Haygrove School in the Super 8 format competition.

Batting first the Somerset school scored 89 but Tunstall could only manage 69 in reply from their seven overs.

High Tunstall then faced Glyn school from Surrey in the 3rd/4th play-off but lost by 14 runs in the highest scoring match of the day.

Batting first Glyn scored an impressive 101 from their seven overs with High Tunstall scoring 87 in return with both Josh Noble and Oliver Sherwood being forced to retire on 20 not out.

Holden said: “It was 100 per cent a team effort. On the Josh was outstanding with hostile pace bowling and hitting the most sixes he deserves special recognition.”

He added: “All of the staff are very proud of the boys, the way they conducted themselves was exemplary. They have put High Tunstall on the map.”

After the tournament the team travelled to the nearby Sixfields Stadium to witness Pools’ 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Northampton Town.

Holden said: “The boys can leave knowing they performed a lot better than Hartlepool United on the day!”