Newbridge Nitros were crowned Wales\' Under 19’s T20 champions for 2016, after defeating their counterparts from Bridgend Town Cricket Club at THe SSE SWALEC last weekend.
Four junior cricket clubs from across Wales battled it out at the home of Glamorgan Cricket, on Sunday with Tawe Tornados and Pwllheli Under 19’s knocked out at the semi-final stages.
In the final, Nitros bowled Bridgend out for 63, and went on to win by nine wickets; Travis Morgan scoring 48 not out and Will Davey 14 not out. Joel Holley also had figures of 4 wickets for 3 runs.
Captain of the winning side Ben Wellington said, “We’re over the moon with the result as we know Bridgend are tough opponents to beat, they’re a really strong bowling side. But the boys didn’t put a foot wrong.
“I never thought I’d see us play at The SSE SWALEC as we struggled to get a youth side together a few years ago. It was an amazing experience and an unforgettable last game with my team”.
Matt Evans, Bridgend Town Cricket Club Under 19s team manager added, “It may not have been the result we’d hoped for, but I’m so proud of the whole team and the achievements we’ve made this year.
Robert Croft, SSE SWALEC ambassador and head coach at Glamorgan CCC said, “It’s great to see so much talent coming up through our grass roots clubs and it’s a great opportunity for them to play at the home of Welsh cricket. Congratulations to Newbridge Nitros”.
Mark Frost, Community Development Manager for Cricket Wales and Glamorgan CCC said, “It was great to host the U19’s T20 final for the first time and see the fantastic talent of the young players.
“With double the number of teams entering this season compared to the inaugural year in 2015, the tournament is getting a fantastic response and is being successful in retaining players at clubs playing cricket. After making the bridge from junior cricket into the U19s competition, we hope that many of these young people will continue to play and develop their talents to keep playing cricket in future”.
The SSE SWALEC, which hosted the final on Sunday 11 September, is a major supporter of the Under 19’s tournament by supplying financial assistance to teams as part of its Cricket Development Fund. The fund was developed to reward grass roots cricket clubs across Wales by providing £10,000 to contribute to equipment, kit and upgrade facilities.
The initiative was launched by SSE in association with Cricket Wales and Glamorgan CCC with the aim of encouraging active participation in the recreational game in Wales and to improve the overall experience of playing cricket at grass roots level.