BOLDON'S top order kept their nerve to steer their school to victory in The Northern Echo/Local Heroes Under-15 Schools Cricket Cup.

Over the semi-final and final held on Wednesday, they amassed a total of 273 runs for the loss of just four wickets.

That ensured they justified their status as competition favourites, given to them after they beat a talented Durham School team in the quarter-final.

Rain interrupted both semi-finals, meaning the finalists were not known until mid-afternoon.

Boldon played Ian Ramsey C of E School, Stockton, in the semi-final at Chester-le-Street Cricket Club at Ropery Lane.

Batting first, Boldon saw off Ian Ramsey's accurate opening attack for the loss of one wicket, before going on to the attack. They reached 160 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply Ian Ramsey were always behind the clock, losing early wickets.

The Boldon bowling attack kept getting wickets at crucial times to keep the pressure on the Stockton school. Ian Ramsey were bowled out for 122 runs, giving Boldon a comfortable 38 run margin.

The second semi-final between Easingwold School and Castle View School, from Sunderland, was staged at the Riverside.

Castle View batted first but got off to a bad start. They lost Christopher Rushworth, who made an unbeaten 150 in a previous round, for a duck. They reached 86 for 8 from 20 overs. Andrew Carrick took three wickets in a late two over burst as Castle View's late order tried to go on the attack.

In reply Easingwold were always in control, largely thanks to an unbeaten 47 from opener Duncan Snell. They passed Castle View's total for the loss of only one wicket.

By mid-afternoon the persistent rain relented and the sun shone on the Riverside in time for the final.

Easingwold batted first, but suffered an early blow when Snell was bowled for 11.

The North Yorkshire school tried to increase the run rate, but struggled to raise the tempo in the face of some accurate bowling and excellent fielding by Boldon. They reached 112 for 7, setting Boldon a target of just over five-and-a-half runs an over for victory.

But even the use of seven bowlers by Easingwold failed to deter an inspired batting display by Boldon, who passed the total for the loss of just one wicket and with plenty of overs to spare.

See more images from The Northern Echo/Local Heroes Under-15 Schools Cricket Cup here.