The Twickenham CC U15s squeezed past Indian Gymkhana on 11 July, ensuring that they are in with a fighting chance of retaining the MJCA South Plate that they won in 2023.

Ultimately, the Ts got where they needed to go; they won by four wickets with four balls to spare (see here for the card). But, the game certainly wasn't without drama, and respect due to Indian Gym; they kept on going to the very end.

Solid bowling performance from the Ts
The visitors from Thornbury Avenue won the toss and had a bat. Their top four all did well, skipper Sukhmanpreet Singh leading the way with a quicker-than-a-run-a-ball 22. Opener Atharv Bhan took rather more time to accumulate his runs, adding 28 (off 48 balls).

At 81-2 Indian Gym were well-placed to let the handbrake off in the last few overs, but it was at that point that wickets started falling and the runs seemed to dry up. Mohib Khan bowled particularly tightly, although ultimately the wickets were nicely shared out; Khan himself grabbed one, whilst Hugh Bunch, Ryan Barton and Suhail Khan also got a wicket apiece.

Ice runs through the veins of Gurjaipaul Singh
The Ts were confident that they could chase 107 down, and with opener Adi Udernani - a regular in the TCC senior sides already - booking himself in for bed and breakfast it looked like they'd make light work of the job.

41-1 nonetheless became 54-4 and an attack of the batting collywobbles threaten to cause real problems for the Ts. Udernani departed for 29, and none of the dangerous troika of Gales, Haris or Fowler got into double-figures. Someone needed to step up.

George Moira certainly did his best to be that man, his 15 (off 14 balls) helped push things along. It was nonetheless Gurjaipaul Singh who really rose to the challenge; he hit an unbeaten 25 (off 19 balls) and alongside a timely red inker from Ryan Barton they saw the Twickenham ship home.

Barnes or Hampton Wick next for the Ts
The Ts are therefore in the plate final. Something to look forward to. Their opponents will be either Barnes or Hampton Wick, and the venue for the final will be..... Twickenham Green. Go on the U15s, bring the trophy home!