Ravensthorpe school are Kiwk Cricket champions

Crossley Fields, Ravensthorpe, Bywell, Gomersal St Mary’s, Hyrstmount and Heckmondwike were the six winners of regional qualifiers, comprising of 35 schools Ravensthorpe, Bywell and Crossley Fields all got off to impressive starts by comfortably defeating their opponents.

The second round of fixtures gave points for the first time in the day to Gomersal St Marys.

Bywell and Ravensthorpe both earned victories over the other round one winners, Crossley Fields and remained unbeaten after three rounds, with and Gomersal St Mary’s just two points adrift.

Round four brought first afternoon victories for Hyrstmount and Heckmondwike, which was fitting as it meant all schools would depart with at least one win to their name.

Game of the day was between the previously unbeaten pair of Bywell and Ravensthorpe, who batted first and made a steady start before being pegged back and losing two wickets.

Ravensthorpe eventually set a target of 65 and Bywell made a flying start, with 18 coming from the first over, but were pegged back by the loss of a wicket and only scoring five runs in the second over.

A clutch of sixes were hit by Bywell’s second and third pair, but they also lost four wickets.

The game was evenly poised with the last batting pair at the crease and could have gone either way.

A terrific seventh and eighth over by Ravensthorpe’s final two bowlers, saw just four runs in total conceded as they held their nerve to run out narrow winners.

Ravensthorpe knew victory in the last game against Gomersal St Marys, would see them victorious overall.

Despite Ravensthorpe scoring an above average 73, a blistering start of 38 from the first two overs by Gomersal St Marys, ensured there were plenty of anxiety in the Ravensthorpe camp.

Ravensthorpe raised their performance to take 10 wickets in the remaining six overs to complete victory and book their place at the West Yorkshire Finals.

Final positions: 1 Ravensthorpe, 2 Bywell, 3 Gomersal St Marys, 4 Heckmondwike, Joint 5 Crossley Fields and Hyrstmount

Ravensthorpe now represent North Kirklees in the West Yorkshire final at Hunslet Nelson CC, where they compete against schools from Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Wakefield and South Kirklees.

n Bywell’s Year Three and Four team were edged out in the West Yorkshire Finals of the Drax Cup at Pudsey St Lawrence last Thursday.

Bywell defeated Alwoodley 141-132 in their opening match and also defeated Spen Valley area winners Roberttown (184-133), but lost narrowly to Todmorden, who won all three of their group games to reach the semi-finals.

High Burton School, of Huddersfield, defeated Tordmorden 152-142 in the West Yorkshire Area final to reach the Drax Cup finals day which will be held at Headingley on July 10, before the T20 Blast between Yorkshire Vikings and Durham.