b'THE ELLESMERIAN 129Cricket1st XI A good number of the U15s who were involved in the 1stXI provided leadership for their own age group team. Captained by George Owen, with Thomas Dyson as vice-captain, they proved to be a more than capable outfit with a results ledger. The three wins against Wolverhampton Grammar School, Shrewsbury School, and Bridgnorth Endowed School provided a platform for the County Final versus Newport Haberdashers. Against Bridgnorth Endowed in the semi-final, Tom Dyson helped Ellesmere set a substantial target with a 64 not-out with Charlie Boys (36) and Harry Pyke (24) making important contributions. The opening bowlers of Henry Appleby and Jonathan Evans soon put paid to any doubts about Bridgnorth making the score with a decisive opening spell of bowling. Unfortunately, in the final against Newport, achieving County champions did not happen. It was a close fought game and could have gone either way. It did not quite happen for Ellesmere at key moments. However, the very respectable position of being county finalist was something to celebrate.GO'