CRICKET: Coundon Court grab national glory.

COVENTRY'S Coundon Court school team can be proud of their achievements after reaching the last eight in a national cricket tournament.

Coundon reached the final of the Midlands area heats and were just one win away from joining the other regional champions in a battle for the 2003 English Schools Cricket Association national title.

But the under-13 side lost the toss and struggled on a wet wicket, being dismissed for 47 runs against John Taylor HS of Staffordshire who reached their target with three wickets down. Despite the loss, Head of PE Neil Parker was delighted with his side. "The boys fully deserve their success, it's been a team effort throughout with all the boys contributing."

En route to the final Coundon overcame two rain affected first round games to finally beat Shropshire's Moele Brace School in a bowlout, hitting the wickets twice to secure a trip to face Loughborough GS.

Batting first, Coundon Court hit 144-3 off 25 overs thanks to good batting displays by Chris Moore (27), Todd Freemantle and Luke Settle (both 32no). In reply Loughborough were bowled out for 117 with a decent spell from Owen Killmurry (3-13) setting up a semi-final tie with Rushcliffe of Nottinghamshire.

Home side Coundon put up a target of 103-8, Lee Hopkins (18) and Chris Moore (17) top scoring. Rushcliffe scored 47-1 off ten overs before the intervention of Lee Hopkins, who took three wickets in one over and finished with superb six over figures of 6-18, leaving the opponents bowled out for 93.

CAPTION(S):

PRIDE OF THE CITY: The Coundon Court under-13s (back row, from left) Laurence Gittings, Bradley Blakewell, Chris Moore, Luke Settle, Mazar Zaffar, Neil Parker. Front: Owen Kilmurrey, Sam Skelding, Ross Durham, Lee Hopkins, Joe Simms, Tom Barber, Lenny Shail.