The Prep School 1st XI played some superb cricket this week to win their way through to the IAPS Cricket National Cup Finals Day and the David English Cup National semi-finals.
The boys’ successful week started with a trip to York on Monday, where they enjoyed a winning day in the heat at St Olave’s in the IAPS Cricket National Cup quarter-finals. After an early start and long journey, the boys got off to a fine start with a run out in the first over. The success continued as they took their opportunities to restrict St Olave’s to 140-9 in their 25 overs. Congratulation to Kavin Krishnaruban for his fine spell of bowling (4-14). In reply, Bedford Prep started fast, with Josh Edmundson crashing a quick-fire 27 before Tom Ulvert (45) and Isaac Vincent-Emery (39* off 15 balls) completed the victory. The boys will return to York to compete for the National title on finals day on Monday 19 June.
Still jubilant from their excellent win on Monday, the 1st XI was back on the road again on Thursday, this time to play RGS Worcester in the David English Cup Midlands Final for a place in the national semi-finals. The boys qualified for this year’s cup as U12 county champions last year, allowing them to represent Bedfordshire in the U13 competition against other county champions. In their run to date, the boys have secured wins against Dragon School (Oxfordshire), King Edward’s Birmingham (Warwickshire) and St Joseph’s Stoke (Staffordshire) to set up their Midlands final. Having won the toss, Bedford Prep put RGS into bat and restricted them to 91 all out, with a fine spell of bowling by Toby Hudson (6-19). The game was won by eight wickets, with Leo Tapp (42) and Tom Ulvert (16*) seeing the side home. Next, the boys face Manchester Grammar at home for a place in the national semi-finals.
We wish the boys the best of luck in their upcoming matches and look forward to watching even more superb cricket – hopefully, in the sun.