St Cross Symondians U11 Maroon secured a narrow 10-run victory over Wellow & Plaitford Knights U11 in a tense Alan Rowe Trophy final on Sunday afternoon in front of a bumper crowd.

Having won the toss, St Cross elected to bat first. In a rain interrupted start Max Tarry anchored the innings superbly, retiring not out on 30 (36 balls) with four boundaries. William Rice chipped in with a brisk 14, while Hector Stephenson added an important 18 runs in the middle order.

Despite losing wickets in clusters—most notably three dismissals to the tidy leg-spin of Max Eldridge (3/20)—the hosts managed to post a slightly under-par total of 92 all out in 17.2 overs, leaving the game finely balanced.

In reply, the Knights stumbled early, losing Tommy Vaughan and Rupert Tarr cheaply to the bowling of Jonah Adams and Hugo Holt. However, Max Eldridge produced a calm, unbeaten knock of 30 retired to keep his side in contention.

With the retirement of Eldridge the Knights only required 18 more runs with 4 wickets in hand and plenty of overs remaining.

However St Cross dug deep and the decisive moments came during blistering spells from Beckett Pearce and Hugo Holt (whose figures of 3-1-3-3, earned the Serious Cricket player of the match), as they dismantled the Knights middle and lower order.

Wellow & Plaitford were dismissed for 82 in 15.2 overs, falling agonisingly short.

This result saw St Cross Symondians U11 Maroon crowned champions of the Hampshire County U11 Alan Rowe Trophy, winning the title for the first time in eight years after a spirited all-round performance in a closely fought contest.