By Lana G, Year 8

It has been a very busy last half term for the U13A cricket team, playing in the Middlesex Schools Hardball Cup.

We started off the tournament with a win against Ealing Fields school. The team won the toss and elected to bat first, knowing the strong attack of the Ealing Fields players. Despite this, the team managed to put on a total of 148 after 20 overs and went into the second innings, knowing they had put on a good total for them to chase. After a strong first few overs from the opening bowlers and a few crucial early wickets, the pressure was on for Ealing Fields, and eventually we managed to bowl them out for 40.

Into the semi-finals, we were up against a strong Latymer Upper team. We batted first again, and with a great start in the first 10 overs, going at over 10 an over, the team put on a total of 117. Knowing that Latymer had a very chaseable target, our bowlers went in knowing a few early wickets would be vital if we were to win. Keeping their runs low was the main goal, which we achieved and with the pressure back on them, we had momentum. We eventually bowled them out for 40 as well.

The final was against LEH. NHEHS won the toss and chose to bat first, with a great 118 run partnership by Romilly and Nishka. NHEHS scored 156-1 and then went on to have great success in bowing, getting LEH all out for 106, being crowned Middlesex champs! The team were presented the trophy by Angus Fraser MBE.

Thanks to the Schools Cricket Association of Middlesex for this match report.