Keynsham cricket U13s’ cup triumph

FINISHING a stellar season in style, Keynsham Cricket Club’s promising U13 team won the Bath & District Youth Cricket Cup.

Playing against favourites Bath CC, the boys won an extremely tense game on the final ball. In the Roman city, this was a truly gladiatorial battle!

The game was played in sweltering conditions on July 13 at Bath CC, though the vociferous Keynsham support made it feel like a home game.

Batting first, Keynsham lost early wickets, but calm batting by Max Gammon (31) and Fergus Elly (38 not out) brought Keynsham 106 for 9 from their 20 overs.

Still, this was lower than their average total this season, so the bowling was going to have to be special to defend this.

And special it was! Keynsham’s two county players – ‘the two Harrys’ – opened the bowling and pegged Bath back whilst picking up regular wickets.

Harry Baker ended up with 1-13 from his four overs and Harry Kembery a heroic 4-15 from his four.

The middle overs saw Bath respond and the balance seemingly tipped back in their favour. The body language from the Keynsham coaches on the side of the pitch betrayed the emotional rollercoaster they were riding!

But some miserly bowling from Beau Harvey (1-9 from two overs) and Gammon (0-10 from four overs) and some excellent fielding, including run-outs by Baker and Rory Bell, dragged Keynsham back into contention.

Going into the final over, Bath required nine with one wicket remaining. It fell to Elly to bowl, though the cheering at the start of his over made it seem like the whole town was behind him.

The first three balls elicited no runs but the fourth was hit for four, leaving five required off the last two. Luckily Elly held his nerve, Bath only managed one more run, and the visiting parents, friends and family could let out a cathartic cheer.

There were even some tears amongst the crowd, such was the emotion of the occasion. This ends a great season where they went unbeaten in winning the league. Many are also members of a successful Wellsway School team who got to the final of the county cup.

Coach Jack Harvey: “Full credit to the boys. They never gave up and held their nerve in the most dramatic of circumstances to get the win. We are all so proud of them.”

Pictured – back row, left to right: Harry Kembery, Fergus Elly, Frank Little, Harry Baker, Louis Sheppard (captain), Beau Harvey

Front row from left: Jack Bell, Sam Moore, Max Gammon, Toby Brown, Rory Bell, Theo Trenoweth

Not pictured: Felix Lewis, Zack Hopkins, Ted Flynn