THE big hitters of Easingwold School have reached the Yorkshire final of the Calypso Cup, writes Dave Stanford.

The Under-12s side is helping maintain the school's growing reputation for cricket.

Last year, the Easinwold's Under-15s reached the last 32 of the Lord's Taverners Colts national knock-out having won the regional final the season before.

The Calypso final, organised by the English Schools Cricket Association, will be staged in September and victory then, against as yet unnamed opponents, will see the Easingwold youngsters move a step closer to being crowned national champions.

To reach this stage, Easingwold have beaten Scarborough College, Graham School, Harrogate's Ashville College, Ripon Grammar School and Heckmondwike Grammar School.

Scarborough College made 72-4 off their 20 overs, a target Easingwold reached with the loss of just two wickets. Max Midgley top scored for Easingwold with 50.

Matthew Atkinson was the star of the show in the second round against Graham School, returning figures of 2-4 off four overs as the Scarborough school were restricted to 49-7.

Again, Easingwold reached their total with the loss of just two wickets.

Set a target of 81-7 by Ashville College in the third round, Joe Wilford and Daniel Houlston saw Easingwold comfortably through to the quarter finals with innings of 26 and 27 respectively.

Skipper David Coverdale was at the fore against Ripon Grammar, scoring 48no as Easingwold reached 139-4. He then returned figures of 3-9 off four overs as Ripon were skittled out for 82.

In the semi-finals more fine bowling by Coverdale (2-4) saw Heckmondwike reach 79-8 off their allotted 20 overs. Easingwold reached their target for the loss of just three wickets as Midgley made 26no and Houlston 27.

PICTURE: ALL-WHITE: Easingwold School Under-12 cricket team: back, from left, Richard Carrick, Joe Wilford, Max Midgley, Daniel Houlston, Adam Wood. Front, from left: Will Reynolds, Adam Blair, David Coverdale, Stephen Brogan, Adam Fisher