CRICKET: King's College enjoy outstanding success (From Somerset County Gazette)

CRICKET: King's College enjoy outstanding success

5:20pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Sport

KING'S College in Taunton has achieved record-breaking success this term.

On five consecutive Saturdays their teams have recorded a clean sweep of victories over some of the most highly- regarded cricket playing schools in the South-West.

In all, 33 games against Blundell’s, Queen’s, Bryanston, Taunton School and Clifton College have been played, with all 33 ending in victories for King’s.

Highlights have included the 1st XI’s eight-wicket win against Blundell’s, their six-wicket defeat of Taunton School, and last Saturday’s five-wicket victory against Clifton. The Junior Colts beat Blundell’s by 122 runs, while the Under-14s beat Taunton School by 144 runs.

Director of Cricket at King’s, Phil Lewis, said: “This has to be the first time in the history of King's cricket that such an achievement has been recorded. “It's a testament to the skill and dedication of our players and coaches that we can consistently put out such talented sides across all age groups, and win high-pressure games against prestigious and highly regarded opposition.”

The Under-15 team at King’s College, Taunton, have won the Somerset County Twenty20 cup. Teams they beat on their way through the competition included Sexey’s School, Bruton and Taunton School in the semi-final, which set up an away final against Millfield.

Millfield got off to a flying start as they raced to 34 in the first five overs, but were then pegged back by some tight off-spin bowling by Sam Underdown and Charlie Brain.

A good final over for Millfield saw them finish on 109, but this always looked a slightly below par total, as King's skipper Bertie Preston played a match-winning knock of 40 not out.

He was ably supported by Gabriel Counsell who timed his final assault on the bowling to perfection, as King’s cruised to victory in the final over, winning by seven wickets.

Success in the County Twenty20 was the perfect end to a magnificent season for the team, who were unbeaten on the school circuit for the second consecutive year.