Hands up (while still allowed) those who think draws in declaration cricket less exciting than overs games. With skilful captaincy, the declaration game is far superior. MCC, under Stuart Barnes of Gloucestershire CCC, made a challenging declaration at 174 for eight, and it left Monkton Combe needing three to win from the last ball with nine down. They scampered two, thus drawing on level scores.

At Hereford Cathedral School, the very experienced Joe Hiram led a Gloucestershire Gipsies team, and declared at 184 for nine. Fine off-spin bowling from Hereford’s John Terry produced figures of six for 88 in 23 overs. The school were cruising at 102 for one, but a major collapse ensued, with Hereford facing defeat. Needing 26 from the last three overs with nine down, Chris Shaw and Luke Cross held their nerve to leave Hereford needing three from the last ball. The batsman and keeper both missed it and two byes were sneaked, thus also drawing with the scores level and nine down.

A convincing eight wicket victory over a weakened Haberdashers’ Aske’s side ended a fine season for Bancroft’s who lost only to their Old Boys (the previous day) in 19 games. During this match, Nishanth Selvakumar for Haberdashers’ passed 1000 runs for the season. Promoted from the Under 13s, he scored 70 for the 1st XI. In his own age-group, he averaged 149.71 with a highest score of 202 not out, and scored three further centuries.

The Perse School in Cambridge had another outstanding season, winning 11 of their 13 completed matches. They tied with Eton in the first game of the season and drew with Gresham’s.

Hymers College in Hull won six and drew one, with particularly good victories over Woodhouse Grove, Silcoates and Pocklington. Several key games were lost to the weather with only one match played after half term. They have now escaped the floods with a tour to St Lucia.

Taunton has enjoyed a phenomenal run in recent years and once again won all their matches in the very strong South West circuit. They have lost only once in three years. A talented young team, excellently led by wicket-keeper batsman Jon Todd, they were frustrated to lose eight games to the weather.

Trent, who won all completed matches last year, again finished the season unbeaten. They won 11 of their 12 completed matches, the other being a draw.Their run of wins in 50 overs cricket now extends to 26 matches.

Andrew Mason of Bristol Grammar School swept through Newington, visiting from Australia. He took the first five wickets, all bowled, in seven balls including a hat-trick. His five for nine, though, was not enough to secure victory.

In a match reduced from 50 to 35 overs, Colchester RGS entertained their Old Boys who raced to 220 for eight with 1999 captain Mark Tyler scoring 77 from 27 balls. In the school’s reply, Salman Mohammed, son of the Pakistan Test player Sadiq, wrought havoc on the lower half of the Colchester RGS batting, taking five for two to bowl out the school for 117.

Loughborough Grammar School’s Under 13 side is in its third consecutive final in the National Bunbury Cup, to be played at Oundle on Thursday July 12th. Harrogate Grammar School had battled through floods to play the semi-final against Loughborough, only to be heavily defeated. Shiv Thakor, Loughborough's star player, recently scored 237 in 35 overs against Nottingham High School.

Owing to the appalling weather, the semi-finals and finals of the National 20s cup have been postponed to September. In the quarter-finals, Repton beat Huddersfield New College, Dulwich beat Wellington (Berks), Sherborne beat Oakham and Hampton beat Oundle.

Results (* indicates home side)

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