RAYLEIGH’S FitzWimarc School year 10 cricket team have reached the final of the County Schools’ Cup for the second year running.

They will be bidding to overturn last season’s defeat when they take on title holders Shenfield, but due to a difference in school terms the final will not take place until September.

Fitz overcame Barking Abbey in the first round and then beat Saffron Walden.

They then beat Norlington in the quarter-finals to earn a semi-final date with Colne Community School.

This latter match was a closely-fought battle. Fitz batted first and, in a rain-delayed innings, they managed to score 90 runs.

This was mainly due to a strong first wicket stand between Declan Olley and Glen Norfolk.

Colne bowled extremely well to keep the Fitz total to under 100 and came out to bat with a great deal of confidence.

After a poor first ball by Zack Dunkley, which was hit for six, he and Edward Proctor bowled extremely tightly.

This was backed up by some excellent fielding and soon Colne were under pressure with wickets falling and only a few runs on the scoreboard. They needed 16 runs to win off the last over, but thanks to some top class bowling by Chris Price, Fitz held on for victory.

“It’a a fantastic achievement to reach a county final, but to do it two years in succession is really outstanding,” said Fitz’s Adrian Heafield. “There have been some outstanding contributions from a number of players, but the strongest point of the squad is their enthusiasm and team spirit.”

Captained by Glen Norfolk with Chris Price as his deputy, the Fitz squad is completed by wicket-keeper Declan Olley, Zach Dunkley, Edward Proctor, Casum Tiffin, Bobby Mills, Shaun Grant, Michael Wright, Chris Beardwell, Jacob Cleaver, Daniel Mann, Josh Mann.