Croydon Schls U15s 260-5 South London Schls U15s 259-9 Croydon Schools' Cricket Association's U15s retained the prestigious Hobbs Trophy at The Oval last week by the narrowest of margins, in a thrilling 40-over match which went to the wire.

South London Schools had battled their way back in an innings that ebbed and flowed.

Thirteen runs were needed off the last over, and subsequently six off the last ball, with nine wickets down. But South London could only manage a four, enabling Croydon to squeeze through and extend their record of consecutive wins to seven.

Croydon's dramatic win capped one of the closest ever victories in the match's 34-year history. And South London's total was the highest by a side batting second and losing.

A second-wicket partnership of 150 runs off 20 overs, between Kunal Patel (Trinity) and James Balmforth (Royal Russell) put Croydon in the driving seat. When county player Balmforth, departed for 55 (five fours and two sixes) the score was 186-2, with 10 overs remaining.

Left-hander Patel held the innings together as Croydon lost George Evans (Edenham) and Trinity duo, skipper Tom Livesey and Alex de Warrenne, cheaply. But Ashburton's Chris Elmes promoted in the order bludgeoned 20 not out off the last three overs.

Patel finished on a best ever 117 not out, hitting the last ball of the innings for a massive six.

South London's reply closely mirrored Croydon's innings. Croydon got the wicket they were after that of the South London's skipper and South of England player, Alex Senn (Alleyne's), victim of a superb one-handed diving catch at slip by Livesey, off David Hoskins (Tenison's) with the score on 26.

When the third wicket went down, South London were well placed with 175 on the board, and 10 overs remaining. As the game tightened up, Croydon's fielding got ragged and catches were spilled.

Croydon dismissed South London's prolific batsman Charles Gallagher-Powell, caught by Kunal Patel, off Hoskins for 74. With both teams bidding for victory, wickets tumbled. But at 220-5, with 41 needed off five overs, the stage was set for a close finish.

The target was whittled down to 15 wanted off the last three overs a not too difficult task, but with only two wickets in hand.

Man of the match, Kunal Patel, was trusted with the last over, and held his nerve. When the last ball was driven to the boundary, Croydon celebrated a hard-earned victory.

Croydon U19s take on Croydon Teachers at Trinity School's Sandilands ground on Friday, June 18, at 4.30pm.

CSCA president and chairman Edward Handley was awarded MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list turn to page 2.