Every now and again a sporting event takes place which lives long in the memory for those present. Sportsmen all over the world call it an “I was there” moment. They are the tales you will tell to your grandchildren many years from now.

Steve Cole, coach of the Ross-on-Wye Under 15s told the Ross Gazette:?“I am lucky enough to be able to say ‘I was there’ on the night of November 22nd 2003, when Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory in Sydney. To that glorious date we can now add June 30th 2016, the night when the Under 15s produced the most magnificent all-round cricketing display to defeat the mighty Bromyard and win the Herefordshire Cup.”

This was a night when yet again, the value of Ross playing as a team outweighed the sum of the individuals playing for the opposition. Bromyard arrived brimming with confidence, a side packed with talented county players. Perhaps confidence became arrogance as they mocked the Ross team posing for their squad photo before the start. As Nigel Farage commented to fellow MEPs last week, “You’re not laughing now”.

Ross knew they were the clear underdogs. In a two horse race anything is possible but did they have the inner self belief? Could they do what Iceland had done to England?

Captain Charlie Cole won the toss for the sixth time in a row and chose to field. Harry Friend and Cameron Hill bowled an excellent first spell during which Hill removed one of the openers for just 2. Hill finished with 4 overs, 1 wicket for 10 runs; Friend’s figures were 3 overs 0 for 5. An outstanding start but now Bromyard had the dangerous Whittenbury at the crease. He went after the next seam bowlers and the runs started to flow. Then a tactical change by Cole to bring on the spinners, Cole and Isla Kendall not only stemmed the flow of runs but the wickets started to fall. Cole removed Whittenbury with a good catch by Adam Davies and Kendall clean bowled another good batsman, Redsull. When Cole also had the other opener caught by Davies, all of a sudden Ross sensed they were really in with a chance. Cometh the moment, cometh the woman. Kendall bewitched the middle order taking a further 5 wickets to finish with an incredible 6 for just 18 runs. Tom Gwynne came on to bowl one crucial over near the end for just 4 runs. Cole’s figures were an impressive 4 overs, 2 wickets for 8 runs.

Meanwhile throughout the innings the fielders were outstanding in every aspect. The names of Verney, Decloudt, and Middlecote, Springer (wk), Aubrey and Bailey, can sit alongside those of Johnson, Hill, Dallaglio and Back from the legends of 2003. They gave everything to prevent boundaries and take important catches. Their efforts proved crucial in the final analysis. A run out from the penultimate ball closed the Bromyard innings on 94.

The umpires called for a swift turnaround and Bromyard took to the field promptly. Opening batsmen Cole and Friend took their time and came out like gladiators into the ring. They knew they were to face an onslaught from the fiery pace bowlers, but if they could stand firm and see them off then this might just be the night for glory. Stand firm they did. After 10 overs there were only 32 runs on the board but crucially Cole and Friend were still at the crease. After 12 overs the required rate was up to 7 per over. The batsmen conferred. Time to go for it and make history. Their ball striking was superb, as was their running between the wickets. The pressure told on the fielders, who made a string of errors. 35 runs were still required off 5 overs when the breakthrough came for Ross. Bromyard had to bring on their final bowler and the batsmen moved in for the kill. 17 runs came from that single over and turned the tide in Ross’ favour. For the first time that evening the match was theirs to lose. 8 was needed from the last two overs when Bromyard had their final throw of the dice, bringing back their opening bowler. 3 runs from it and still no wickets down. 5 to win off the last over. Friend clipped a neat single off his legs and Cole delivered the coup de grace with a mighty four over cover point. A famous victory had been won against all the odds. Cole (43 not out) and Friend (38 not out) produced a masterful batting display that exuded calmness, maturity and a steely determination not to be beaten. What a performance.

Kendall was presented with the match ball by the umpires to mark her efforts. The team was presented with medals and the County Cup. The rest of of the team are left with just the memories.