Ralph Thoresby School win Lord’s Taverners 2016 National Table Cricket Finals

Ralph Thoresby School from Leeds claimed victory at the Lord’s Taverners 2016 National Table Cricket Finals at the home of cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Hosted at the Nursery Pavilion, the national tournament concluded with 10 schools challenging for title on 26 June. It was Ralph Thoresby who claimed the championship as they beat Ash Field Academy from Leicester in the final.

In its 18th year, the competition, which is supported by Ford and made possible thanks to the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, saw over 300 youngsters with severe physical disabilities from 47 teams battle it out in eight regional events to make finals day.

The 10 schools that represented their respective regions to compete for the title were:

• The Village School from Brent in North London
• Seven Kings High School from Ilford in Essex
• The Angmering School from Sussex
• Wilson Stuart School from Birmingham
• Oxclose Community Academy from Washington in Tyne and Wear
• Suffolk One College from Ipswich
• Ash Field Academy from Leicester
• Trafford College from Stretford, Greater Manchester
• Ralph Thoresby School from Leeds
• Bradley Stoke Community School from Bristol

Lewis Bird, captain of Ralph Thoresby, said: “It’s was a great day and it was great to see how the team developed playing in a tournament against different teams as opposed to just in training. The whole team put in a fantastic performance and we’re all delighted. I’ve been playing table cricket since I started the school and there are huge benefits to playing in terms of meeting people, learning new skills, tactics, being part of a team and also having fun.”

Played on a table tennis table with side panels and sliding fielders, a ball launcher, weighted plastic ball and wooden bat, table cricket enables young people with severe physical and learning disabilities to enjoy cricket and represent their school on a competitive basis.

Duncan Lewis, Director of Fundraising, Partnerships and Events at the Lord’s Taverners said: “It is fantastic to witness children with severe disabilities engage in sport and what’s more get involved in cricket. Table Cricket ensures that participants can experience playing at a competitive level and enjoy the benefits of being part of a team. Congratulations to Ralph Thoresby on their outstanding achievement.”