SCHOOLBOY cricketers have defeated one of the oldest clubs in the world after more than a decade of annual matches.

Barnard Castle School beat the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) by eight wickets in an impressive display of batting, bowling and fielding.

The MCC's team of adult club and former professionals will now report back to their Lords headquarters about the school's young talent.

MCC managed 169 in the one-day match in County Durham, but Barn-ard Castle comfortably reached the total with eight wickets to spare.

Medium-pace bowler Richard Arnott took four wickets for 44 runs.

"It was a good match and we played really well," said the 15-yearold, from Bishop Auckland, who has ambitions to play for Durham and England.

Cricket master Ben Usher was delighted with the result, the first win against the MCC in the 11 years he has taught at the school.

"We have won our last four games on the trot which is impressive," he said. "It's been a good month so far.

"Playing the MCC is a fantastic experience for the young players, not just because they are up against adults and ex-professionals, but also because the MCC is the spiritual home of the game."

MCC captain Mark Cowell said: "The aim of the matches is to promote the spirit of cricket around the UK and it's a great experience for them to play adults.

"The standard of cricket at Barnard Castle School has improved a great deal and they have some very good players, which is to the credit of Ben Usher."