Gloucestershire Under 13 Boys – Taunton Festival
Gloucestershire won the Under 13 Taunton Festival for the second year in a row after winning all three of their matches.

The 2017 squad opened their campaign with a convincing 118-run victory over Guernsey. Having won the toss, Gloucestershire chose to bat and posted a total of 186-4 from their 25 overs. Praneel Choughule (32) (Thornbury), Nick Shubach (35) (Dumbleton), Rhys Price (36) (Thornbury) and Charlie Brennan (25 not out) (Stoke Bishop) all made solid contributions without anyone going on to make a big score.

In reply Guernsey were up against it from the start. Sami Hamid (1-4) (Winterbourne) struck early during an economical opening spell. But it was spinner Ryan Kilmister (Dumbleton) who did the real damage, ripping through the middle order to take 5-12 from his five overs. Will Gilderson (Dumbleton) also got in on the act, running through the tail on his way to figures of 4-4 from 4.4 overs as the Channel Islanders were bowled out for 68.

Day two brought a slightly stiffer test in the shape of Cleveland but again Gloucestershire proved too strong. Opting to bat first again, Gloucestershire were bowled out for 156 with only Schubach (49) and Stanley Brown (42) (Cheltenham) reaching double figures.

But after some early Cleveland resistance Gloucestershire’s bowlers overpowered their opponents. Kilmister was once again the architect of the destruction taking 4-14 from 10 overs. Hamid (3-30) also picked up important wickets as Gloucestershire finished the job in the 37th over to secure a 46-run victory.

Needing a win to secure the Taunton title, Gloucestershire faced Berkshire on the final day. Having lost the toss, Gloucestershire made an early breakthrough through Gilderson. Berkshire fought back but their recovery proved to be shortlived as Gilderson (4-33) and Brennan (2-22) instigated a flurry of wickets in the middle order. Berkshire staged a late fightback but could only muster 153 before they were bowled out in the 39th over.

Chasing 154 to win the festival, Gloucestershire got off to a shaky start and continued to lose wickets at regular intervals throughout their innings. Staring down the barrel of defeat they were indebted to number seven Sam Bains (Dumbleton) and number eight Brennan who made 28 and 39 respectively to give Gloucestershire hope. Both fell before the end but Gilderson (10 not out) and Ollie Elliott (1*) (Bourton Vale) kept their cool to guide Gloucestershire to glory with 5.5 overs to spare.

Gloucestershire Under 14 Boys v Hampshire (at Moreton in Marsh CC)
ECB Under 14 County Cup – Group 3
Hampshire 114-6 (35 overs)
Gloucestershire 115-3 (32 overs)
Gloucestershire won by 7 wickets

Gloucestershire Under 14s secured a place in the top tier of the ECB Royal London County Cup for next season with a hard fought seven-wicket win over Hampshire.

The side’s second successive win ensured a top five in their group and a positive end to the 2017 campaign.

Opening batsman Michael Burger (Parkend) carried his bat for the second cup match in a row, finishing unbeaten on 50 to guide Gloucestershire to their target of 115 with seven wickets in hand.

The match at Moreton-in-Marsh had already been rearranged twice due to rain, and it nearly fell foul of the weather again as the two teams were greeted by soggy conditions on arrival. However, stirling work from the groundstaff, coaches and umpires ensured a reduced 35 overs a side match would be possible.

Gloucestershire won the toss and immediately put Hampshire on the back foot, reducing them to 15-3. Left arm spinner Max Shepherd (2-18) (Bourton Vale) – who came on after two overs – started with two wicket maidens while there was also a wicket for seamer Hamdi Saleem (1-18) (Downend).

Sam Swingwood (1-18) (Monmouth) then had Royan caught behind in his first over to make it 27-4 after 11 overs.

The visitors – who were already assured of a top five spot in the ECB group – fought back with a battling partnership of 48 between Byers (27) and Wheble (35). But on a slow pitch and outfield Hampshire were never able to get on top.

Skipper Kunal Barman (2-24) (Old Bristolians Westbury) removed both of them but Hampshire number seven Broderick gave the innings some late impetus with 24 not out as the visitors finished on 114-6.

With the conditions still tough for batting, chasing even a moderate total was still going to be a challenge.

Gloucestershire openers Barman and Burger battled early on before the former was bowled by spinner Amis for 11. Will Naish (19) (Frocester) and Burger then added 41 for the second wicket remaining watchful while still attempting to capitalise on anything off line from the Hampshire bowlers.

Naish was stumped attempting to up the run rate but Max Trotman (Winterbourne) continued where his team-mate had left off to ease any nerves. When he fell for 19, caught off a Wyatt full toss, Gloucestershire still required 17 for what would be a crucial victory.

The gutsy Burger remained unflappable until the end, reaching his 50 and seeing his side home, accompanied by Ed Faulkner-Ellis (Bristol YMCA) who finished on 10 not out.

Gloucestershire Under 14 coach Luke Sellers said: “To secure A division cricket for next season is a good achievement for the squad, especially after making a slow start to the competition. Their resilience in bouncing back from this was great to see and will stand them in good stead going forwards.

“The finish to the season and the way the boys competed at the Taunton Festival – where they finished second by a single point – showed that there is plenty more to come from this group as a team and as individuals.”