Portland turn tables on Oxclose

13 June 2008

Portland College celebrate their superb win at Lord's on Tuesday

The Portland College in Nottingham won the coveted Lord's Taverners Table Cricket Tournament at Lord's on Tuesday after a thrilling final against Oxclose Community College.

Watched by former England captain Mike Gatting, current managing director cricket partnerships at the ECB, Eastenders actors Ricky Groves and Cliff Parisi, and TV presenter Judith Chalmers, Portland edged through a tough group before turning in a stunning display in the final

Star player Sammy Jollet was named in the day's 2008 All-England team.

The national tournament has been running for the past two months and saw a record entry of more than 60 teams from around the country taking part in a series of regional qualifying heats before the finals at the Home of Cricket.

The tournament, which is played on a table tennis surface with special bats and balls, is designed to give disabled and special needs children the chance to enjoy the game of cricket and the opportunity to represent their school on a competitive basis.

The competition is now in its tenth year and continues to go from strength to strength with over 400 children having taken part in this year’s event.

The Lord’s Taverners Chief Executive Matthew Patten said the tournament was a big success.

"The Lord’s Taverners believe that all young people, particularly those with special needs, should have access to cricket, other sports and recreational activities in their local community," he said.

"Every person in every one of the 60 teams nationwide that have taken part is a winner. Likewise their friends, families and carers whose invaluable support we recognise and appreciate.”