BANCROFT School’s Under-12s cricket team are the champions of Essex after defeating favourites Brentwood in a pulsating final.

The local team went into the match as underdogs, as hosts Brentwood could boast an unbeaten 24-match record and a clutch of players in Essex U12s’ first XI.

However, captain Samraj Sadra claimed all four wickets to restrict the home side to 161-4. In a tense chase, Bancroft were able to keep wickets in hand and reached their target with just two balls to spare.

Team coach Martin Flaherty praised both sides afterwards, saying: “These two excellent teams played in first class spirit.”

Meanwhile, the school’s U13s were beaten finalists against Ilford County.