THE Rendcomb College cricket tour party has returned from Dubai as proud possessors of the Emirates Airline School 35 ARCH Trophy.

Having recorded two victories in the round robin stage of the tournament, Rendcomb qualified for the final, staged at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai, on the basis of net run rate.

The college batted first in the final and posted a score of 139, which was relatively disappointing in light of the fact that they had comfortably passed the 200-run mark in their previous matches.

Their opponents, Sharjah YTCA, a talented and disciplined batting side, required a run rate of less than four an over.

However, the Rendcomb boys rose to the occasion and bowled and fielded with great spirit and tenacity.

Just as their opponents threatened to take control, the college took vital wickets and, in an incredibly tense and exciting finale, with the scores level, Howard Auster and James Tait combined to run out YTCA’s last man, and the result of the final was a tie. With Rendcomb having already beaten YTCA in the preliminary stage of the tournament, the trophy was awarded to the college.

In addition, Auster was named 'Player of the Tournament', thanks to an average of more than 60 runs (highest score 90), wickets, catches and stumpings, as well as skippering the side. Other notable performances included a five-wicket haul for Alex Tatara-Mills, four wickets for Tom Pethick and an extraordinary innings of 85 from just 43 balls by Will Scott.