Schools match of the week: Tiffin School v Wilson's School

Spirited Tiffin bowling attack is not quite enough to contain superb Wilson's batting performance

Wilson's School recovered from 11 for 3 to chase down 192 and defeat Tiffin School by seven wickets.

The 40 over match was played in glorious sunshine at Tiffin with the home side winning the toss and opting to bat first.

Captain Sami Shori and youngster Frahn Shaikh got off to a steady start and saw off the opening bowlers before Shori was bowled by Nick Felice for 20 with 48 on the board.

It wasn't long before Shaikh joined his captain back in the pavilion, he was caught and bowled by Wilson's captain Riley Jarrold for 11.

Much credit should go to Jarrold who led his team superbly, setting his field well and keeping morale high on a hot day.

His contribution with the ball was crucial. His slow left-armers accounted for the wickets of Shaikh, as well as No.3 Rayhan Rafiq and No.6 Huw Morris. Figures of 3 for 26 off eight overs did not flatter him.

Datta Vasireddy, an U14 player, batted maturely and when he was joined by Tim Jones – who will captain the 1st XI next summer – Tiffin had two batters who looked settled at the crease.

Tim is the third Jones brother to represent the Tiffin 1st XI, following on from eldest Sam who opened the bowling, and Dominic who was an allrounder.

But once Vasireddy (35 off 46) was caught off the bowling of Jackson Ellis wickets continued to fall and Jones (36 off 45) was the last man out in the 39th over.

192 all out was certainly a defendable score, particularly if Tiffin took early wickets.

And that is exactly what they did. Jones bowled Callum Furmidge with the second ball of the innings before repeating the trick with Finlay Michael the next ball. Pranav Madan survived the hat trick ball but Tiffin had the flying start they wanted.

Wilson's settled slightly but when opener Rehan Gamage was caught off the bowling of Iain Westbrook the away side were in serious trouble at 11 for three.

Arjun Dutta joined Madan in the middle and the two batted beautifully. They preserved their wickets and didn’t take any risks. At times the run rate did slow – overs 11-15 went for only three runs, including three maidens – but they did not panic and ensured they entered the final part of the chase with wickets in hand.

As both batsmen passed 50 they began to up the tempo. Madan retired for a terrific 70 and Dutta finished the game in the 37th over, smashing Jones for a four and a six.

Dutta finished unbeaten on 92 off 104 balls.

Tiffin master in charge, Martin Williams, was full of praise for the opposition.

"Wilson's outplayed us. We were riding high after the early wickets but Madan and Dutta came in and won the game for them.

"There was one very difficult chance. They batted beautifully. From a position of little hope they turned it around and played wonderfully. It was a lesson in how to build and graft."

But the future is bright at Tiffin with several younger players progressing through to the 1st XI.

"Shaikh and Vasireddy are both U14s and will have many more years in the side. Alex Cormack is also in that year group but wasn't playing in this match because he is taking part in the Hobbs Trophy – a side made up of the best state school cricketers – at The Oval.

"Jones will captain the side next summer. He is the lifeblood of the team and someone who I didn’t think would make it into the 1st XI. But he has worked incredibly hard and blossomed. He bowls quick and skiddy and is one of the few boys who can play forward properly. He is my model player."

The Cricketer would like to thank Durant Cricket for their ongoing support of our schools cricket coverage. For more on Durant Cricket, including booking a site visit, please click here