| The John Lyon School wins Middlesex cricket trophy & and Angus Fraser writes the match report! |
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A superb unbroken 155-run partnership between Nikhil Parekh and Hassaan Mohammad guided the independent school to a nine-wicket U14s victory over St Paul’s School, Barnes, in the final at Southgate Cricket Club – the School’s first-ever win at this level. In their final, the U19s beat rival another independent school, Mill Hill School. The U14 John Lyon School (JLS) side will now represent the county in next year’s Lord’s Taverners trophy. The U14 final was given extra spice by the inclusion in the JLS team of pupil Alex Fraser, who was among the winning side’s wicket-takers. Alex is the son of Angus Fraser, former England bowler, Independent journalist and a commentator on the BBC’s Test Match Special, who has penned a special match report for the school. Alex is also the nephew of Alastair Fraser, who is not only a former Essex and Middlesex player but is St Paul’s School coach. JLS Headmaster Kevin Riley said: “Many congratulations to our boys, our Head of Upper School and Master in charge of Cricket, Ian Parker, and to the rest of the Sports Department for these superb victories. “Cricket is currently enjoying a considerable renaissance at The John Lyon School: not only have the U14s and U19s had these tremendous victories, but our U12s and U15s have also done very well this season.” Here is proud father Angus Fraser’s match report: A superb unbroken 155-run partnership between Nikhil Parekh and Hassaan Mohammad guided The John Lyon School to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over St Paul’s in the final of the Middlesex Schools Under 14 Cup. The John Lyon School passed St Paul’s competitive total of 174 with four overs of the match remaining when Hassaan Mohamed clipped Sam Cato through backward square leg for four runs. The boundary was greeted with joy by the JLS team who ran on to the field to congratulate their heroes. St Paul’s captain had tried everything to break the partnership between Nikhil Parekh and Hassaan, but each attempt failed as the pair marched imperiously on, timing their run-chase perfectly. The contrasting styles of the two batsmen made it very difficult for the opposition bowlers to find any sort of rhythm. Nikhil was the more dominant of the two, scoring an undefeated 81 that contained nine boundaries. The powerful right-hander rode his luck at times, chipping the ball in to gaps in the field, but he did not give a chance and struck the ball sweetly on many occasions. Hassaan relied more on touch to accumulate his runs, although his unbeaten 66 did contain six exquisite boundaries. The elegant right-hander cut the ball beautifully on each occasion a St Paul’s bowler strayed wide of the stumps. When it was straight he blocked it or moved it expertly in to gaps in the field. JLS should have been chasing a far larger total than the 174 set by St Paul’s, who were well placed on 144-3 after 25 of their allocated 35 overs. With ten overs of their innings remaining and seven wickets in hand, a total of 200 should have been reached. For St Paul’s Cato, Edmonds, Soma and Walker each passed 20 but not one of them went on to post a potentially match-winning score. Cato, with 33, and Edmonds, 32, were caught by Hassan off the bowling of Alex Sloan and Abdul Ahmed, whilst Soma, 27, and Walker, 21, were caught by Piranavan Shasiharan and Sloan off the bowling of Alex Fraser and Kavan Singh. Sloan, who held on to a ‘blinder’ on the deep mid-wicket boundary, took the best of the catches. Alex Kutner was the pick of the JLS attack, taking 3-31 in seven overs. ENDS Issued on behalf of The John Lyon School MEDIA CONTACTS: Mr Kevin Riley at The John Lyon School on 020 8872 8434 |
Young cricketers at The John Lyon School in Harrow are celebrating after an emphatic win to scoop the Middlesex Schools U14 Cup and taking the U19 title for the second year in a row.