POULTON Cricket Club U15s have been crowned county champions after beating both Cheltenham and Thornbury in Bedminster on Sunday.

They now face South Wiltshire in the Regional play-off on July 19 to earn a place in the National Finals.

In the semifinal against Cheltenham, Poulton were put into bat and lost their two openers within the first three overs, but it was Josh Gray (49) and Jonnie Gunn (44) who steered the Poulton innings to an impressive 98 after just 12 overs.

James Newman’s 31 runs dominated the later overs and the innings ended on 153 in 20 overs.

It was Newman’s bowling prowess that continued Poulton’s dominance as he took four wickets from the Cheltenham top order, while there were two wickets apiece for Gunn, Harvey Jupp and Wyndow leaving Cheltenham on 97 all out and losers by 56 runs in the 15th over.

In the much-anticipated final, Thornbury elected to bat.

Poulton skipper Jack Morris penned down the Thornbury top order with a great spell of four overs for just 11 runs, while Gunn and Jupp continued to restrict the runs and pick up wickets supported by an excellent team effort in the field, which was typified by a brilliant catch from Cameron Waldron.

After 20 overs Poulton were happy to have kept Thornbury to 108.

In reply, Poulton again lost the top order quickly with Gray and Gunn back in the pavilion within four overs. Morris then played a marvellous captain’s innings, retiring on 53, and James Newman (20*) anchored the innings to pass the target in the 17th over.

A marvellous day for Poulton’s U15s.