Old Tauntonians & Romsey defied their underdogs tag to pull off two remarkable victories and win the NatWest Under-16 Indoor Cricket Championship.

Finishing fourth in the log and without injured England prospect Katie George, they went into the Ageas Bowl finals as firm outsiders for the title.

But, fully motivated and totally focussed, they chased down competitive totals to initially beat 2014 champions Parley and then thrash the Hampshire EDP squad by six wickets in the final.

They scored 133-4 to beat Parley with three balls to spare and had four batsmen ‘retire’ before knocking off the EDP’s 137-3 with ten balls in hand.

“To beat the two top sides in it so convincingly was a simply fantastic achievement,” beamed coach Rick Kellaway.

“I told the lads beforehand that, because they’d reached the cut-off age limit, this would be the last time they’d play together and go out and make the most of it.

“They certainly did that !”

Chasing competitive totals each time, the OTs youngsters kept their heads, pushing the ball into the gaps to comfortably score at ten runs an over throughout.

Openers Harry Tulk and Elliott Mitchell-Lee both retired before skipper Sam Costley played his part in a two-wicket win over Parley.

The same three, plus Tom George, played identical batting roles in the final, while spinner Nicho Newman showed his potential withcthe ball.

Results -

NatWest Semi-finals

Parley 132-4 (Nash 23*, Clarke 22, Newman 2-25)

OTs & Romsey 133-4 (Tulk 34*, Costley 30*, Mitchell-Lee 27, Rowett 3-15)

OTs & Romsey won by two wickets.

Basingstoke & North Hants 99-5 (Oates 34*, Neal 28, Spencer 2-19)

Hampshire EDP 102-3(Broadhurst 27, Holly 16*, Wade 16*)

Hampshire EDP won by three wickets.

NatWest Final

Hampshire EDP 137-3 (Broadhurst 46*, Holly 28*, Fay 26*, Tulk 2-35)

OTs & Romsey 139-0 (Tulk 27*, Costley 27*, Mitchell-Lee 25*, T George 25*)

OTs & Romsey won by six wickets.

A 15-year old Petersfield cricketer has produced the best individual bowling performance in the 13-year history of the NatWest Under-16 indoor league at the Ageas Bowl.

Ben Turk took five wickets for 13 runs in three overs as his East Hampshire district side shot Winchester Warriors out for 78 to spring a 43-run surprise.  Turk, pictured, clean bowled three of his victims, had another trapped leg before and a fifth caught in his record breaking spell.  

Only Sparsholt’s Tom Foster, who was run out for 44, avoided being dismissed by Turk.  East Hants won only three of their 11 games at the Ageas Bowl and finished second from bottom of the table.