Durham Under-15 Boys are through to the knockout stages of the ECB Royal London Cup after a 39-run victory over Scotland in their final group game at Eppleton Cricket Club.
Durham (241; Pratt 63, Gray 50, Ward 36; Ali 5/59) beat Scotland (202; Hodge 44, McDowall 37; Dickinson 4/26) by 39 runs
Despite a wet few days in the North East, Durham skipper Tom Ward won the toss and elected to bat at Church Road. Durham lost opener Tom Bolam for 17 from 22 balls, however a 57-run partnership between Daniel Gray and Jake Pratt took Durham to 89/2.
Daniel Gray scored his half century before being bowled by Alex Hodge from 52 balls scoring seven fours and two sixes in the process.
Jake Pratt led the way top scoring with 63, including ten fours and one six, but was bowled by Salaar Ali who claimed 5/59 from 10 overs. Ali also struck to dismiss Abhinav Ramisetty for 25 and Tom Ward for 36, as Durham were bowled out for 241 with four balls to go in the final over.
Scotland got off to a flyer in their chase, as Dan Pearson smashed 18 from nine balls, scoring two sixes and one four, but Harry Lumsden had the Scotland opener caught in the deep. Robbie Dawson snaffled the next wicket in the slips as Christopher Cole was the second Scotland wicket to fall.
Jake Dickinson claimed three wickets for four runs as Scotland struggled at 75/4, however an 82-run partnership of Alex Hodge (44) and Seth McDowall (37) had Scotland back on track.
Shortly after drinks Dickinson struck with his fourth wicket to round off with figures of 4/26 from eight, along with 2/36 from Luke Husband and 2/37 from Harry Lumsden.
Lochlann Young-Hall also joined the party to dismiss Scotland’s number sixth and seven as they were eventually bowled out for 202 in 43.1 overs, as Durham won by 39 runs.
Durham now move onto the ECB national semi-finals and face Worcestershire at home on Wednesday 14 August.
James Lowe, Head Coach for Durham Cricket Under-15 Boys said: “I am really pleased the boys have qualified for this year’s ECB semi-final. That was the aim at the start of the season – to win the group – so it is good to see we have achieved that.
“We have played some good cricket this summer, and it is good to go unbeaten in the league and finish top of the group.
“Every player in the squad has put in a great deal of effort and contributed to the team’s success.
“I said earlier in the season that we have enough ability and good players in the group to progress and that has certainly shown.
“We now have another big game coming up against Worcestershire, so if the boys all perform at their hardest there is no reason why we can’t make the national final later in the summer.”