On Monday Ross Cricket Club hosted the Herefordshire Cricket U15 County Cup final. Ross had won the South Division of the Herefordshire Junior League and Burghill & Tillington had won the North Division to qualify for the County Final. Burghill & Tillington won the toss and put Ross in to bat.

Openers Ben Lander and skipper, Toby Hiram made an excellent start for Ross, both batting sensibly and with purpose, building a partnership of 85 over 10 overs before Hiram was caught by Barney Morgan off Will Russell's bowling (49) just one run short of retirement.

Ben Element joined Lander at the crease and they added another 20 runs before Element was caught (10) by Callum Briggs off Toby Wildig.

Calum McIntosh added 4 before Tom Watkins claimed his first wicket of the match. Ben Lander was Watkins' second scalp but only after notching up a very well timed (43) off 46 balls. Ross were 127 for 4 after 16 overs.

Josh Element was Watkins' third wicket, adjudged LBW (8). Henry Mayell at Number 6, found the boundary three times before being well caught by B & T's keeper, Tyler Garrard off Morgan's bowling after adding 18 runs. Cameron Terry (10*) and Harry Akers, also unbeaten, brought the Ross innings to a close with the score on 171 for 6 after 20 overs.

After a brief interval, Burghill & Tillington began their reply. Both openers, Toby Wildig and Tyler Garrard, played watchfully and were rewarded with retirements, Wildig (50) and Garrard (51) and B & T were 101 for no loss, but arguably behind the run rate. Number 3, Barney Morgan was finding the boundary on occasion but his partner, Will Russell then fell victim to a great run out from Josh Element (3) and B & T were on 151 for 1 after 19 overs.

Morgan was caught soon afterwards (27) by the safe hands of Henry Mayell off Ben Lander's bowling. Josh Element dismissed Ethan Bailey for (4) and Callum Briggs (5*) and James Howard (0*) brought the game to a close as they posted 156 for 3 after 20 overs.

Ross had retained the U15s County Cup title by 15 runs. This was another great team performance from the Ross U15 team and a well-deserved win after a successful 2013 season.

Grateful thanks to team manager, Therese Warwick, Jo Yearley for scoring all the games and to Gabriel Warwick for his coaching support. And many thanks to Dee Springer, David Warwick and Nicole McIntosh for their hospitality at the game and to all the club members who came to support the team in the Final.

After the BBQ, Edd Oliver from Herefordshire Cricket presented Runners-up medals to the Burghill & Tillington team and then medals to the Ross team and the shield to captain Toby Hiram.

Other members of the squad who have contributed to this season's success are: Harri John, George Wallis-Smith, George Nicolson, Sam Quinlan, George Hayes, Owen John, Charlie Cole, Joey Brodholt and George James.

Very well done lads and congratulations from everyone at Ross Cricket Club.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.