The U14s were the top ranked team in Division 1 going into Finals Day, having dominated the league season. The game is a shrunken version of outdoors cricket – seven a side with each innings a maximum of 12 overs. There are novel rules, such as being caught off the wall or out for hitting the sports hall ceiling. The team had won eight, tied one of their league fixtures, and only lost one, and even that came down to the opposition hitting the winning run on the last delivery.

With the top four teams qualifying for Finals Day at Radnor House School in Sevenoaks, the U14s squeezed through the semi-final against Bells Yew Green, reaching their target with one ball to spare and with only one batter left – another novelty where the last batter may carry on batting when all others are out.

After the nervous semi-final performance, the team were back to their confident, dominant best in the final. Bowling and fielding superbly, they dismissed a strong Sevenoaks Vine batting line-up for just 63 runs and then knocked off the runs with the loss of just one wicket and with five overs remaining. It was sweet revenge as Sevenoaks Vine were the one side to beat them during the season. As the strongest team during the campaign, the U14s were deserved league winners.

Our mixed U12 team was equally successful during the league season. They only lost one of their 10 fixtures in Division 2 of the younger league. Kings Hill were too strong for Southborough in the last-four game held at Skinners’ Kent Academy in Tunbridge Wells. We posted 100 in our innings and, bowling tightly, restricted their batters to win by a convincing 54 runs.

The final was versus Bidborough, the only side to have beaten the U12s previously. The opposition batted well to post a very tough target of 106, which unfortunately proved just beyond Kings Hill. With 10 wins over the season and a place in the final, the boys and girls – some playing indoor cricket for the first time – can rightfully look back at a very successful and encouraging campaign.

Some photos from Finals Day can be seen here

So, a fantastic and fun indoor season comes to an end. Well done to all the juniors who have played over the winter! We now look forward to the summer and playing outdoors.