The traditional end of term U15 Cricket Festival, involving Eton, Marlborough, Shrewsbury and Uppingham was this year held at Marlborough.
Competing for the Clarke-Williams Trophy, the teams played each other across three days, matches being of 50 overs per side. Led by Macdonald, the Uppingham squad of 13 contained 10 members of this term’s U15 side, and three members of the U14 side – both teams having won their respective Leicestershire County Cup competitions in recent weeks.
After winning their first fixture by five wickets on the first day, Uppingham were then beaten by five wickets by the hosts in a game of more or less identical scores. Uppingham therefore went into the final day knowing they had to beat their final opponents, who had won their other two matches, to put themselves in with a chance of winning the trophy. A superb bowling and fielding performance saw the opponents dismissed for just 93 to bring about every opportunity of the victory and, at 41-2, Uppingham looked well placed. Unfortunately, the rain then came to the extent that no further play was possible.
The three days once again provided some highly competitive cricket, thoroughly enjoyed by all, and the boys deserve great credit for their performances. Although victory in their final match was denied, it was lovely to see these young players competing so strongly in such a competitive cricket festival.
