THORNBURY Thunder will step onto the County Ground in Bristol this weekend as they bid to win the first ever Under-19 T20 Cup on Finals Day.
The Thunder join Hatherley and Reddings Hurricanes, North Cotswolds Young Cricketers and Bristol Buccaneers in going for the title after winning their group.
The Thunder will take on Bristol Buccaneers in the first semi-final at 10.30am before the Hurricances face NCYC at 1.45pm. The winners of both matches will go head-to-head in the final at 5.15pm.
The day will feature music, live commentary and bars and food outlets will be open for refreshment.
Competition organiser and Gloucestershire Cricket Board community coach Scott Tremain said everything was in place for a fantastic finale to the inaugural tournament.
He said: “For these young players to have the chance to follow in the footsteps of so many greats of the game and play at the Bristol County Ground will be a wonderful experience for them.
“It has been a great competition, the players and their clubs have really embraced it. Entry is free on Sunday so we are hoping supporters will come down and help create and electric atmosphere on finals day.”
The competition, sponsored by Plumbase, is part of a national initiative to stop players in their late-teens dropping out of cricket.
Thornbury won three and lost one of their matches to reach Finals Day while Thunder spinner Danny Slade tops the best wicket-takers with two other bowlers – NCYC’s Ollie Currill and Hurricanes’ all-rounder Rob Dent – with nine victims each.
And Thornbury’s Jack Gillett has topped the best bowling for a single match by taking a remarkable 6-10 from only 2.2 overs when the Thunder played Brislington Stags.