Ross-on-Wye U15s qualified for the final of the Herefordshire Cup with another tense victory at The Park. Wormelow were the semi-final opponents, a team that Ross had beaten very narrowly less than a month ago. However, Ross were smarting from a heavy defeat at Brockhampton earlier in the week when they bowled, fielded and batted like complete novices. Could they turn the performance around and save their season? Of course they could.

Wormelow batted first and Ross immediately showed their improved form with some good fielding and solid bowling. Captain Charlie Cole mixed his bowling attack well to keep the pressure on the visiting batsmen. Only Spence and Davies threatened to accumulate runs. Fielding standards were higher too. As well as catches being held there were two smartly taken run outs. Marcus Bailey (4 overs, 1 wicket for 5 runs), Harry Friend (4 overs 3 for 12) and Cole (4 overs 2 for 7) were the pick of the bowlers. Wormelow finished their 20 overs on 95 for 9.

After another excellent tea, courtesy of the back room support team led by Mrs Hill, the Ross batters took to the field knowing that victory could the theirs if they batted well. Anything less and their chance would be gone for another year.

Things didn’t go according to plan in the early stages. The Wormelow opening bowlers both kept it straight and full meaning runs were hard to come by. Cole and Bailey fell cheaply and Ross fell further and further behind the required run rate. After 8 overs there were only 15 runs on the board leaving 81 needed off 12. Then Adam Middlecote joined opener Harry Friend at the crease and immediately set about running quick singles and turning ones into twos. Friend caught the mood and increased his scoring as well and the pair put on a valuable 31 before Middlecote was run out chasing another extra run. Jaydn Decloudt came in and hit an excellent boundary to show what a good prospect he is, having only taken up the sport only a month ago. When he was bowled out Alex Springer came in with 32 still needed off 7 overs. Springer immediately set about the bowlers as if in a power crazed frenzy. Ball after ball was dispatched to the boundary so that when Friend was out for an excellent 37 Ross needed just 5 more to win. The winning score was achieved with 3 overs to spare and with Springer not out 21.

The final will be played later in June at a neutral venue in Hereford against the winner of the north group. Win or lose, the squad can be very proud of their achievement against the odds this year. Please come along and support the team once the date and venue are known.