The U15s locked horns with one of Yorkshire's junior powerhouses, New Rover of Leeds, in the semi-final on Monday night and overcame all before them to secure a place in the Yorkshire Final of the Vitality U15 Club T20 competition.

It was, as expected, a high quality match with the home side making 109/3 from their 20 overs. Oliver Frearson bowled with pace and control in a great opening spell alongside Luke Barrowcliffe (1/23). Leggie Sam Walker and seamer Alex Gillgrass (1/17) continued the good work and Ted Stead (1/11) and Lucas Arnot closed the innings out. It was a tremendous all round bowling effort by the lads with some excellent ground fielding - the fact that seamers Harry Dalzell, Jacob Carroll and Jack Anderson plus off-spinner Will Sweeten, who have all played rep cricket, were not called upon to bowl shows the strength of our Under 15 squad. However, a couple of opportunities were grassed which would have prevented Rover's Leicestershire CCC batsman Koya making the 50 required to retire not out and would probably have made our run chase easier. That said, on a great batting deck still lovingly prepared by former Headingley groundsman Keith Boyce who lives onsite in New Rover's groundsman's bungalow , and with a lightning fast outfield, Lightcliffe were delighted to restrict New Rover to 109/3.

In reply, Lightcliffe were never really in any trouble despite the quality of New Rover's county, regional and league representative players. We, of course, have our own rep players and two of them saw us almost home. Skipper Monty Ramsden impressed once more reaching 50 from 33 including nine 4s before retiring not out. Sam Walker was on 43 before drilling one back to the bowler Rafe Gooden who couldn't hold the chance but, unluckily for Sam, popped the ball up to extra cover where Alex Richmond took a diving catch. Jacob Carroll (9*) and Alex Gillgrass (4*) were the unbeaten batsmen at the crease as the young villagers comfortably passed the winning line with 11 balls to spare.

Our U15s will now face Doncaster Town in the final on Thursday 26th June, 6pm, after the South Yorkshire side beat North Yorkshire's Pannal by 19 runs.

Congratulations to all the team and coaches on their achievement.