The Senior and Junior cricket XIs won through tough matches to reach the House Pots cricket finals. Both sides had to show plenty of nerve and character as the games both went down to the final over, much to the enjoyment of the good number of spectators of all ages who came to support the two teams.

The Senior side, captained by George Sandbach, won the toss and batted first against a strong Leconfield side, making 150 for 4 off their 20 overs. After a sticky start, losing Guy Mitchell and Sandbach fairly cheaply, George Barnett steadied the ship with a punchy 42 off 27 balls, ably supported by Tom Ward who made 20 off 23 balls. Henry Hazell, who scored a calypso-esque 33no of 22 balls, including two sixes, and Rory Chetwynd Talbot (27no of 21 balls) then made sure that we posted a decent, defendable score.

Leconfield were never going to be pushovers though. Led from the front by Guy Brothwood, who has been in prolific form for the XI so far this season, it was crucial that Newick fielded and bowled tightly. Cleverly marshalled by the wily Sandbach, Newick did just that. Chetwynd Talbot (4 overs for 16 runs) and Oliver Thornley (4 overs for 24) were the pick of the attack, the latter bowling especially well at the death. Despite Brothwood carrying his bat on 64 not out, and Ben Ringrose making a strong 49, Newick's bowling proved too accurate, and the side won by 14 runs.

The Junior XI lost the toss and were asked to bowl first by a passionate and determined Christowe side. Captain Warkick Nicholson opened the bowling, and 3 balls into his first over, took the key wicket of Humphrey Bailey, courtesy of a good catch from George Macduff. However, the Christowe captain, Felix Chess took the attack to the Newick bowlers, hitting an impressive 71 not out, and although we took wickets at the other end, Christowe ended up on a challenging 114 off 17 overs.

 The Newick reply could not have got off to a worse start. Jaques Sharam and Nicholson, Newick's two main batting stars, both went very quickly and it was left to two third formers, Ben Traas (29) and MacDuff (20), to get the reply back on track. Thornley (17) and Pelizzoli (21) also made important contributions, but with two overs left, Newck still needed 17 runs to win. Enter Jordan Mullenga Moshi. Not renowned for his batting prowess, Moshi produced a startling cameo innings, hitting 4 fours in the last 7 balls to win Newick the game with just 2 balls to spare. Cue incredible scenes.

These two wins mean that Newick play Hazelwell in both the Senior and the Junior finals. Let's hope we get two equally exciting games.