The spring of 2026 brought a new team to National Indoor Finals at Lord’s.
The U13s, now the fourth different U13 team travelling to this fantastic day in the space of 5 years. All new to the experience and the day, some blissfully unaware of how significant a day at Lord’s was — or that was the case until the day began.
Having conquered county finals and regional finals, the 10-strong squad faced Sevenoaks, Bournemouth High, Sedbergh and Brentwood in a round robin National Finals Day.
We began against Sevenoaks, bowling first and keeping them to 73 with some especially tight bowling from Esme and Sophie, a very manageable chase saw us get over the mine in the 6th over and eventually finish on 109 — Esme 29*, Sophie 15* and Eliza 17* giving SHSK strong momentum into game 2.
Next up, before lunch and the tour, was Bournemouth High. We batted first and set 83 to win, Esme 22* we would need some excellent bowling to defend the total. Sadly Bournemouth’s opening batters were exceptional, with 29* and 26* respectively their 1 and 2 saw them over the line and to a strong total of 112.
Lunch came at the right time for the team: refuel, reset and refocus. How better to do it than a tour of the ‘Home of Cricket’? A visit to the Museum, learning about the history of the ashes, the Long Room and changing rooms — all the history, famous faces and stories including the honours board and finally up to the media centre for the best view of the ground from the Shane Warne Suite, remembering one of the cricketing greats. By the end of the tour the squad were starting to realise the honour it is to play at Lord’s and being one of only 5 U13 teams to experience the day.
After lunch, remotivated and energised, we faced Brentwood, who were 2 wins from 2 in the morning games. Destructive bowling throughout, Sophie with 3 wickets and some quality run outs meant we bowled them all out for 79. A comfortable chase down in 5 overs, Esme 27* and Rosie 20* setting us up to reach 92 all out. Meaning going into the last game it was all to play for between us, Sevenoak and Bournemouth.
We faced Sedbergh, who had won 1 and lost 2 on the day and were a strong bowling side on all evidence. We fielded first, and despite less wicket taking kept them to 89 in their 8 overs. Sadly, frustratingly and guttingly we came up 9 runs short of their total being bowled out for 80. Some exceptional wicket taking deliveries and catching from opposition reflecting the strength and depth im the competition on the day.
Every team experienced wins and losses, the standard was higher than ever before and the SHSK team performed outstandingly, not only to be in the top 5 of 906 school entries in the country but to place 3rd on the day against some of the top teams around. Sevenoaks placed 1st and bounced back from losing their first game (to SHSK) to win their remaining games) and Bournemouth placed 2nd on ‘runs scored’ beating us by 6… yes, 6 runs.
This was an experience the team will never forget and will only make them stronger as they move into round 4 of the SSM t20 Cup outdoors, and then we turn to preparing to reach national finals again — this time as U15s! Another team showing the future of cricket at SHSK is bright — with some high ambitions to exceed last year’s U15 squad!
To reach national finals in every one of the last 5 years, sometimes with more than one squad, is a reflection of the players dedication, hard work and love of the game. This year’s squad were experiencing this stage for the very first time and showed themselves more than capable of challenging on all fronts. A day which could’ve gone either way for any team — nail-biting, just how nationals finals should be — on another day we could’ve won, and another a different team. Smiles on faces, team ethic and individual brilliance and personality shone through. Brilliantly led by Esme and always well supported by the (ever-growing) SHSK Barmy Army, I can’t wait to see where this squad can go in the years to come!
