Bath are MCC Spirit of Cricket U13 National Champions

Date released: 10 August 2007

Bath celebrate with the trophy Bath CC won the 2007 MCC Spirit of Cricket Under 13s National Club Championship at Oakham School in Rutland, today (10th August 2007).

From over 1,700 entrants around the country, eight teams earned the right to play in the finals. The West Country side had an unblemished (played seven, won seven) record throughout the tournament to top the table and take the title.

The other finalists - and finishing places - were: Runners-up - Wolverhampton (North West); 3rd Countesthorpe (North Midlands); 4th - South Northumberland (North East & Scotland); 5th - Chesham (East); 6th - Hastings & St Leonard’s Priory (South & South East); 7th - Northop (West Midlands); and 8th - Scholes, Holmfirth (Yorkshire).

Henry Hayes: in fine form with the bat Several Bath players excelled in a strong team effort: Captain Henry Hayes opened the batting piling up the runs at a formidable rate.

All-rounder Harry Rouse was another notable performer, only out once during the entire competition. Charlie Wills was the pick of the Bath bowlers; in one match he returned figures of five wickets for just two runs from his four overs.

Former Essex, Hampshire and England all-rounder, now MCC Head of Cricket, John Stephenson said: “Congratulations to Bath for winning the MCC Spirit of Cricket Under 13 National Club Championship. They have played good, positive cricket all week and their win is well deserved.

“All week the game has been played in the right spirit by all competitors. To make it this far in the competition is a fantastic achievement and the talent that has been on display is really encouraging for the future.”

Former England captain Rachael Heyhoe-Flint and Bath skipper Henry Hayes Overseeing the proceedings on the final day at Oakham was former women’s England captain, Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, now an MCC Committee member, who added: “It’s been a pleasure for me to come along today to witness Bath’s success in the MCC Spirit of Cricket Under 13 National Club Championship.

"The standard of cricket was impressive and the players have really taken on the spirit of cricket message, to play hard but fair. I hope all the competitors continue to enjoy playing cricket for many years to come.”

The 2007 MCC Spirit of Cricket Award was awarded to Northop CC for their exceptional on-pitch attitude throughout the tournament.