U13 National Bunbury Cricket Cup

Crosfields 75 Whitgift School 76-2

Whitgift brushed aside Crosfields, from Reading, as they began their campaign for a record fifth national Under 13 Cup.

No school has won the competition more than four times, Whitgift having done so in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

This was their first national round game, but the sixth round of the competition, with the South Croydon school having won the county cup at U12 level last season to reach this stage.

Winning the toss on a very good pitch, Whitgift quickly took the upper hand with Shebhaz Ahmad knocking off the opening batsman.

Four further wickets from Ahmad, who was supported by leg-spinner Dominic Sibley, dismissed Crosfields for 75.

Whitgift took just 13 overs to reach their target, captain Greg Dann top-scoring with an unbeaten 37.

Head cricket coach, the former Surrey and Glamorgan spinner Neil Kendrick, was delighted.

He said: "The boys put on a mature and assured performance to beat a good Crosfields side.

"The work put in over the winter and on the team's pre-season tour to Barbados certainly paid off."

Two former Whitgift pupils who have played in previous cup wins are now professional cricketers with Surrey. Matthew Spriegel and Laurie Evans have made an impact on the first-class county scene.

"Who knows", Kendrick added, "perhaps some of this squad could follow in these players' footsteps."

Whitgift travel to Queen Elizabeth's School, Middlesex, in the next round.