BETTER known for its prowess on the rugby field, Stonyhurst added another national title to its collection when the school's cricketers won the trophy after a final played on the magnificent country estate owned by the millionaire philanthropist Sir Paul Getty.

The Emeriti are a touring team of club cricketers who play annual fixtures against the leading Catholic independent schools, and this was the first time that Stonyhurst had taken part in the competition.

Their opponents in the final were the much fancied St Benedict's, Ealing, who had several Under-18s England players in their squad.

Nothing daunted, the Stonyhurst team - all of whom have at least another year in the school - rose to the challenge under the excellent captaincy of Sam Reidy of Clayton-le-Moors, son of the former Lancashire player Bernard Reidy.

Batting first the College set a target of 177 for the loss of only three wickets thanks to Reidy's 69. After a confident start the opposition collapsed from 50 without loss, to 85 all out, thanks to mainly to the fine spin bowling of Reidy (4-14) and an inspired debut performance from 14-year-old Gregory Haynes (3-18).

The strong East Lancashire influence in the squad included Thomas Barnes from Hoghton, James Watson (Salesbury), Daniel Calvert (Rossendale), David Norris (Chipping) and Marcel Dixon (Fence).

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