More great wins for the U13s and U19s this week, but the highlight of another great week of junior cricket was victory for the unbeaten U11s in the East Area Cup Final! Just rewards for a fantastic season so far, and tis our focus for this week's junior roundup:

East u11 Cup - Final
Finchley CC u11s A vs North London CC

Monday June 20th
Arden Field

This is it. The big day. Home advantage and against a team we have played several times recently and beaten every time. But taking nothing for granted. I’m nervous! I’ve arrived a bit late having attended my daughter’s karate grading. Not sure that’s a good idea – she’s not old enough to beat me up yet but when the time comes to discuss unsuitable boyfriends and parties, she will be well prepared, and I may find myself on the losing side. Not a great strategy, needs a bit more thought. Anyway, back to the cup final. Surely, we should all be wearing smart shiny suits, looking uncomfortable with a carnation in the lapel*. There should have been a coach arrive with the team, televised coverage of the big day’s breakfast arrangements, and interviews with past winners and losers. There should be a plinth with a big cup on it and an elderly engraver with two sets of ribbons ready to go at the end of the match. Or maybe I saw too many FA cup finals as a kid…

Before I got here, North London won the toss and we’ve been put in to bat. Nicholas Ponzoni Kirkham and Rayaan Alibhai opening. Nico bowled well for London Schools this weekend but didn’t bat much so I’m a bit nervous. But it’s a solid 20 for none off 4 already. Decent crowd in, familiar and unfamiliar faces. I hear NL have brought in a couple of new players this time – let’s see if that makes a difference. And Finchley last won this cup 10 years ago and Julian – and everyone else – is very keen to make our mark again. (Don’t mention it but I collected a cup and medals today…don’t want to jinx proceedings…didn’t have it engraved though, that would have been a step too far). Apparently also, the wicket has been painted - what’s that all about? Do we have televised aerial coverage, with sponsors logos cleverly painted so they stand out in 3D? But a nice touch anyway and appreciated.

Its 26 off 5, Rayaan cutting loose a bit more. Nico’s playing Jack leach to Jonny Bairstow but that’s fine, a good solid opening partnership is key here. A swing to fine leg from Ray but safe, two more runs. And another to the same area, this time for 4. Score’s rattling along England-style, with good running turning ones into 2s. 40 for none after 7, just what the doctor ordered. Then one stays very low for Nico but misses, and then he goes and chips one to mid-on and its first wicket down, caught. Great start from the openers though and captain Rishi Mehta comes to the crease to build on that start.

Rishi’s off the mark with a nice cut to square for 2, Romil reckons they could have run 3. I’m not so sure, we don’t need to take risks just yet! And a cut for 4 from Ray and the 50’s up! Nice and steady, we need 140/150 I think. Lovely push for 3 from Rishi, outfield looking nice and dry after the earlier rain and quickening now. There’s an air of confident expectancy around the clubhouse now, and its 56 for 1 off 8. Classy straight drive for 4 from Ray, that was Joe Root-esque. They’ve put a fielder at long on to stop that shot now, shame. But Rishi’s on fire, a pull to mid-on for 4 and its 66 for 1 off nine. Whisper it but its looking good…but I’m still worried I’ve jinxed the match by getting that trophy!

These two are running well and the score’s moving along nicely. Woody’s arrived and we share experiences of our little trip to Norfolk yesterday with London Schools. Norfolk! That’s a county for holidays not cricket. Three hours down the A12. Lovely. A swing and a miss from Rishi but it’s through the keeper and they run one. And another miss from Ray, but keeper takes this one. 74 for 1 off 10, 150+ on the cards? A chip to mid-on from Rishi but safe, just a single. Is the bowler overstepping? Some generous umpiring perhaps…and another chip to the same place from Rishi but this time goes for 4, beautiful. Then Ray goes for one and nicks it behind, good take from the keeper. Hit! Nice inning’s though, 38 runs at a run a ball, a great contribution and its 84 for 2 off 12. Amit reckons it’s Woody’s fault that dismissal, he should have stayed in his seat instead of going to the bar. Anyway, Sachin Tibarewala to the crease, the little master. He lofts one over mid-on, just over the fielder…hearts in mouths! It was a matter of inches, but he made it. Fielders are looking sharp now, they’ve slowed things down a bit. Having said that, Rishi smacks one to mid-on for another 4 - fielders could do nothing about that. The score’s up to 93 off 13. A beautiful cut for 4 from Sachin, very stylish. Then a no ball – a beamer - and a scrambled run and the 100’s up! Sachin’s looking in control, off the toes for a single. 105 for 2 off 14. 150 is definitely on…

It's push and run now, regular singles keeping the score ticking. Sam’s brought the beers out, very welcome. Turned to backward square from Sach for 4 to finish the over and 113 for 2 off 15. Five to go, plenty of wickets in hand. The bowler – Jimmy Lynch - looks quick now, a swing and a miss from Rishi and a forward defensive from Sachin. Slow over. But two on a misfield off the last ball and its 118 off 16. Beautifully off the legs for 4 from Rishi and its 128 for 2 off 17. Three to go, we need 150…a lovely two and its 50 for Rishi, fantastic, and he’s retired jot out for 51. I reckon he could have converted that to a century in the last few overs if he’d been left in! Elliott Kennedy to the crease, its 136 for 2 off 18. 14 off the last 2 would be nice. Full toss pulled to backward square for 4 from Elliot. 146 off 19, time for a big last over! Nearly a run out but fumbled and good running brings a second. Gorgeous straight drive from Sachin, 4 more! And a full toss pulled for another 4 – Amit, that was a no ball surely! The Elliott’s run out going for a second, great throw and a direct hit from Dylan Jones in the field. Had to be tried though and Aarav Patel is in but Sachin to face. They try for two off the last ball and Sach is just run out, that’ll spoil his average! Well played boys, final score 160, so 161 to win. Very competitive. Great opening partnership to set the platform, fantastic innings’ from Rayaan, Rishi and Sachin, its looking good. And breathe…

After a very short break (Romil’s complaining the scorer needs a drink, fair enough I reckon) its Rishi to open the bowling. First ball…fast…straight…out! Golden duck, the batsman walks off to cries of ‘hard luck mate’ from the Finchley parents, but their words can’t disguise their glee. What a start. I’m telling the engraver to start his work now on the trophy and get those green and maroon ribbons out. Second ball close and third through the keeper for four byes, don’t need that. Streaky edge for another 4, need to tighten up that area. Eventful first over and its 9 for 1. Jake Schapkaitz to bowl. The fielding could make or break us this innings. ‘Good start Jakey’ is the call from his dad, a fast one and a dot, then a single from a no ball. Easy. Tight bowling though and its 13 off 2. Dawud’s on to bowl, change of strategy? Thought Rishi would have a longer spell. That could be a good move. Great over from Dawud though and it’s slowed to 16 for 1 off 3. Early days but whisper it, they’re behind the rate already…

Jake’s second over and more leakage to third man, that’s too many down there, we need to tighten it up. A wide and a good stop from Aarav. Ray gets over to stop a certain four but its 2 runs and a no ball, runs are moving on. Another no ball and it’s up to 31 off 4 - I’m stopping the engraver - this is too close now. Come on Dawud Ali we need a tight over here. Quick run and nearly a run out. Cut to square for 4, nice shot, and then a wide. 39 for 1 off 5, they’re on track and we need a wicket or two. Sam’s confident, I’m nervous, and Aman Raja to bowl now. First ball dot, 5 more of those please. One through the keeper. LBW? In-swinging yorker? Ah, its Amit umpiring…then one pulled for four and I’m even more nervous. But just 6 off the over and its 45 for 1 off 6. Pulled for 4 from Dawud off a no ball. Consensus is we need a wicket but comedy fielding as it goes through 3 fielders backing up. Surely we haven’t chosen tonight to return to amateur hour? 56 off 7, bang on target for the run rate. Rishi back into the attack, and we need a captain’s over now. Cries of catch first ball but it’s a bump ball! And then…clean bowled! That’s why he’s the captain and that’s why they’re using this bowling strategy, very smart. Fast and straight, unplayable. Partnership broken and second wicket down. Still keeping the engraver in abeyance though, still a long way to go. 57 for 2 off 8, that was a fantastic over. Aryan Bavishi to bowl spin now, a different test for the batsmen. Just a few singles, great over, its 60 for 2 off 9. Just what the doctor ordered, two tight overs. Don’t spoil it now. Aman to bowl again, they’re keeping Rishi’s last 2 overs in reserve in case needed later. Come on Aman! A dot then a misfield for 4, don’t need that. Sachin stops a certain 4 to fine leg, tension is building. But chipped to mid-off for 4 - nice shot it has to be said. 70 for 2 off the first 10, a bit behind the rate now but too close for comfort. 91 needed at just over 9 an over. Lovely evening developing as the sun dips into the eye line, but I’m too nervous to enjoy this!

Aryan to bowl from the other need now. Next few overs could decide this game. Two off another misfield. Brilliant stop one handed from Rishi at mid-off and its 74 for 2 off 11. Rate’s creeping up. Elliott to bowl, an LBW shout, not given. Another great over. 76 for 2 off 12, this is a great spell.

Aryan to continue and a misfield gifts them an extra run. Clean hit for a close run out, not given, but another extra run off the overthrow. 84 for 2 off 13, 77 needed off 7 - 11 an over? Surely not. Elliott back into the attack, slowing things down and increasing the pressure. Three dots and a wide. Chipped to mid-off and three fielders converge, but no catch. 89 off 14, and Rishi to bowl again. Batsmen are trying to run hard now, they’re feeling the pressure. Sam’s still very confident. I’m not quite there yet. Rishi is unplayable though. Amit T reckons its ‘unnecessarily close’ and I agree. I don’t need this tension on a Monday night specially since I have a cup and medals in my bag. 91 off 15. That’s 70 needed off 5 now. And to increase my tension Nico is bowling next. Yesterday he had the last over, 16 needed and he went for 13…but to be fair he held his nerve and they won that game. 97 off 16 overs, just 6 from that over, good control at this stage of the game. Seyan to bowl the 17th over, they need 64 off 4. A pull for 4 and the 100 is up for NL, then a no-ball and a single. And a wide - Amit, really? Truly the definition of impartiality. 108 off 17, 53 needed off 3. Surely not. Jake to bowl the 18th. Just singles, this is fine. I think I can relax now. Just as I say that it’s pulled for 4. And cut for another through Rishi’s fingers, that was close. 119 off 18. Nico to bowl the 19th. 42 off 2 required. Just a couple of singles but their batsman Dylan Jones gets a 50 is retired, well done!

But even I think we can win it from here now. 122 for 2 off 19, just 3 off the penultimate over and Aman to bowl the final over. The crowd is relaxed now and getting their cameras ready. A fantastic throw from Nico to the right end and a run out, fantastic finish. Perfect. Finchley win by 32 runs. And the cup is ours once again after a very long wait. Julian will be happy, as are we. Time to enjoy this one, hold a trophy, get a medal and then think about tomorrow’s league match. League and cup double? Why not, this is a truly great team!

*See for example Liverpool vs Man Utd 1996 (United won 1-0, very gratifying), Roy Evans’ ‘Spice Boys’ and their cream suits, if you want a 1990s cup final reference