Felsted s under 15 cricket side are celebrating after finishing runners up in the National Schools Twenty/20 competition at Headingly. Despite winning their first match, they lost the next which gave them second place last weekend, a great achievement as

Felsted's under 15 cricket side are celebrating after finishing runners up in the National Schools Twenty/20 competition at Headingly.

Despite winning their first match, they lost the next which gave them second place last weekend, a great achievement as 749 schools across the country entered the competition.

They performed well in their semi-final to dispatch Clifton College from Bristol comfortably, after bowling well to restrict them to 111.

Oliver Ekers (30) and Alex Marjoribanks (29) were the top scorers, but all batters contributed valuable runs at a good strike rate as they posted 113-5.

The bowling saw Alex Marjoribanks, Julian Thake, Oliver Ekers, Max Bartell and Lloyd Patternott all take wickets for Felsted.

In the final, Felsted were skittled out by Sedburgh for 86 runs. In reply, their opponents reached the target with nine wickets to spare.

Charlie Knightley, head of cricket at Felsted School said: "The final, coming several hours after the semi against a good Sedburgh team saw the XI never get going and they unfortunately were second best in all areas.

"However, the Felsted team came second from 749 schools that entered the competition nationally and won 10 games to each the final, which is quite an achievement.

"They are to be congratulated for their efforts," he added.

Oliver Ekers from Mountnessing and Alex Marjoribanks from Great Dunmow, were also part of the team that added Essex's name to the prestigious English Cricket Board's under County Cup competition at the conclusion of the tournament held at Oundle school near Peterborough.