Poulton U13 to represent Gloucestershire in the Vitality National T20

Poulton, who won the Gloucestershire round of the national competition, will go head-to-head with the Wiltshire County Cup Champions at Englands in front of what is likely to be a bumper crowd.

Poulton were crowned Cup Champions of Gloucestershire after beating Dumbleton and then Frocester in a pulsating final.

After restricting Frocester to 97, Poulton’s openers got off to a flyer in reply getting to 43 from 5 overs. But Frocester fought back to the brink of victory with quick wickets reducing Poulton to 68/6 off 14 overs.

Out strode Oliver Rycherd-Smith with Poulton needing 30 from the last six, he then pulled and drove 16 off an over which put Poulton back in control and he then even let Harry Kilby to score the winning runs for the second time in the day. 

A squad of over 30 boys has been shepherded through not just this season but several years of cricket by Coach and Club President David Dunn and his assistant Jody Lawrence. 

"We love coaching this set of special players," said Dunn. "As a club we are very proud of every member of the squad and what they have collectively achieved so far and will go on to do in a Poulton shirt."

Lawrence added: "I want to thank all the U13 parents for trusting us with their ridiculously talented children who have gone out there and achieved what they have set their minds on. I’m delighted to help out and so proud to be a member of this club."

Club chairman Will Bathurst went on to say: "This is a wonderful squad of under 13s on and off the field and their success reflects not just their hard work off but also how close they are having come up through the age groups together.

"The 11 who take the field will be one third of the squad and I know the other two thirds will be disappointed to miss out but this is a squad achievement and vindicates the coaching direction we have taken as a club in what are tough times for cricket."