WE ARE well into the new football season, but that hasn’t stopped a Winchester school claiming a county cricket trophy.

Kings’ School’s Under 15 boys cricketers were crowned winners of the T20 a County Cricket Cup after seeing off Priestlands in the week-delayed final.

Priestlands – who boasted three County players in their line-up – were then-current holders and hot favourites going into the decisive match.

In damp conditions, the Lymington school won the toss and asked Kings’ to bat first. However, after a cautious start, Kings’ accelerated towards the end of the innings, closing on 129 for seven wickets – with excellent contributions from Harry Trussler, Ashley Lovell and Josh Corner.

With their strong batting line-up, Priestlands were expected to knock off the runs with some degree of comfort but, with every bowler stepping up to the mark aided by some wonderful fielding, Kings’ frustrated their opponents by taking key wickets at regular intervals.

Going into the last five overs, the final was poised on a knife-edge.

Nevertheless, the Kings’ boys held their nerve to triumph by just 12 runs and so add to the school’s impressive tally of County Cup victories.

The school said the win was a fitting recognition of the sustained efforts of their coach, Mr Martin Manning, who has nurtured this team since they started in Year 7.