Stuart Broad presents the trophy after Bexley Rangers win title
Bexley Rangers became the first winners of the NatWest Under-19 Club T20 after defeating Sunbury Chieftains by 59 runs at Grace Road last week.
Having beaten Tudhoe Warriors in the last four earlier that day, Rangers secured the trophy courtesy of brilliant performances from Matthew Stiddard and George Haley, who contributed 49 and 48 respectively.
After the pair lifted the Kent outfit to 146 for seven, Sunbury struggled with the bat and could only manage 87 for nine.
Victory was sweet for Bexley - a club whose alumni include current and former England spinners James Tredwell and Min Patel, Kent stalwart Rob Key and ex-England U19 player Adam Ball.
Club chairman Chris Woolley - great-nephew of fabled pre-war England all-rounder Frank Woolley - said the tournament had been a “terrific adventure” for Bexley’s youthful side, all of whom will still be eligible to defend their crown next year.
He added: “We’d tried something a little similar ourselves last year in Kent in an attempt to retain players, so it’s great to see ECB put their weight behind it - and on a much bigger scale.
“It’s been a fantastic experience, not just for us, but for all four teams lucky enough to get here and our committee members and spectators.
“It’s been so well organised and we’ve been really well looked after. Let’s hope it goes from strength to strength.”
Stiddard was also influential in Rangers’ semi-final victory over the Warriors, retiring on 50 of his side's 167 for five.
That proved 58 runs too many for the Durham outfit as they were restricted to 109 for five in reply.
Sunbury, of Surrey, qualified for the showpiece after seeing off York Bombers by 38 runs.
The Chieftains posted 146 for eight before limiting York to 108 for eight with a fine bowling display.
England Twenty20 skipper Stuart Broad, who presented the trophy to Bexley, said: “I wish there was a competition like this when I was 19, everyone is having a great day which is wonderful to see.”
To view the scorecards from the day, click here http://ecbu19clubt20.play-cricket.com/subsite/web_pages/221120.
To view the ECB’s ‘stay in the game’ toolkit, visit www.ecb.co.uk/stayinthegame, or to find out more about the NatWest U19 Club T20 please click here.