Worfield U17s flew the flag for Shropshire at the Worcestershire League’s T20 Blast finals day – and became first Shropshire side to lift the trophy in the competition’s 22-year history.
The team qualified for Finals Day at Worcester Nomads by winning their group then beating Wombourne in the quarter-finals. In the semi, Worfield faced favourites Halesowen and, batting first, posted 126-7 thanks to 43 from Matty Simmonds and Ben Parker’s 19 off 11 balls at the end of the innings. Halesowen looked well-placed right up to the final couple of overs, but tight bowling, backed up in the field, saw Halesowen come up 11 runs short on 115-6.
In the final, Worfield were asked to bowl first and reduced opponents Barnards Green to 52-4 thanks to two wickets from Matthew Rees and one apiece for Luke Thornton and Simmonds. An unbeaten 43 from Harvey Smedley saw Barnards Green finish on 118-7. In reply, Worfield lost skipper Ollie Gilks with the score on 36 but a half century from Harvey Sage and 37 from Simmonds, in an unbroken partnership of 82, saw Worfield cruise home with 15 balls to spare.
