Aston Rowant finished runners-up in the NatWest Under 15 Nat-ional Club Championship after meeting their match in the final at Kibworth CC.

Rowant were disappointed not to have played better in a 91-run defeat to Wanstead, but could take much credit from having come so far.

They were drawn against Notts Unity Casuals in their semi-final, who Rowant inserted after winning the toss.

Notts put on 84 for the first wicket before closing on 109 after some tight bowling from Linsey Smith, who was prais-ed by former England captain Michael Vaughan, and Law-rence Holmes-Smith (2-11).

Rowant reached 110 in the 18th over thanks largely to good knocks from Andrew Tolson (44) and Dan Matthews (40no).

Wanstead, who beat Yateley by 22 runs in their semi-final, chose to bat after winning the toss in the final.

Rowant had Wanstead 20-2 early on, with Smith claiming both wickets, including Matthews stumping England Under 15 player Ismail Velani.

Wanstead hit back with opener Rehan Hassan and ex-Horspath player Hamza Hussain going on to retire at 50.

They closed on 139-4, which Rowant never looked like getting and they were all out for 48 in the 16th over.

Rowant were given a kitbag donated by The Lord’s Taverners, while Smith received a special bowling award for her figures of 4-0-6-0 in the semi and 4-0-11-2 in the final.

Team manager Colin Muttit said: “It was great achievement for a small club from Oxfordshire to come second out of 1,766 teams.”