TAUNTON St Andrew's are celebrating a double triumph after their Under-13s and Under-15s each qualified for their respective national finals.

The Under-15s progressed with two wins in Monday’s South & West finals day at Wembdon CC.

The first match of the day saw the Saints take on Bovey Tracey, who made 124-8 from their 20 overs with Jay Terry (4-31) and Jamie Lee (2-20) among the wickets.

James Rew (31) and Jacob Hockey (29) added 50 for the opening wicket in reply, and Josh Thomas (11*) saw the Saints home by five wickets.

The victory saw St Andrew’s into the final against Bristol YMCA, and this time Saints batted first.

Rew made 30 at the top of the order but the Saints innings fell away to 116 all out, and Bristol looked in cruise control at 90-1 in reply.

The bowlers fought back, however, and set up a tense finale with seven needed from the final over.

Josh Thomas held his nerve, restricting the runs and taking a wicket with the final ball as Bristol fell five runs short.

The current crop’s achievement comes 30 years after a Saints Under-15s side featuring the Parsons brothers, Keith and Kevin, won the same competition.

Coach Iain Hockey said: “They were both tight games but these boys never know when they are beaten.

“Many of them have been together for five or six years, some of them even longer, and they’ve always had such good spirit and character.

"A lot of them are playing a good standard of cricket at school - we have lads from Castle School, King's College and Taunton School - and some of them have made the transition to playing for the 2nd XI on a Saturday."

The Under-13s followed up the success of their elders with twin victories of their own on Wednesday to make it through to the final four in the country.

They began with a seven-wicket victory over Parley, chasing down 85-6 for the loss of three wickets as Jay Terry retired on 32.

Terry was in the runs again in the final against Frocester, with both he and Josh Thomas retiring on 35 as the Saints set their opponents 140 to win.

Frocester kept up with the required rate but St Andrew's checked their progress with regular wickets, eventually running out comfortable winners.

Somerset County Gazette:

ALL SMILES: The victorious Taunton St Andrew's Under-13s side

Hockey added: "The first team have also been brilliant in giving up their time to come and support the lads through the competition."

Saints first XI skipper James Regan said: "It's fantastic to see how well they are doing.

"There are some seriously talented cricketers among them and I don't think it will be long until they are knocking on the door of the first team.

"Iain and all the coaches have done a brilliant job."

The national finals take place at Rugby School on Monday, August 13.