Thornbury have become the first primary school to win through to the area final of the Drax Cup.

They qualified with a 55-run victory over Ryecroft, who scored 88, at Tong High School.

Other schools participating were All Saints, Hollingwood, Newhall Park, St Stephen’s, St Matthew’s, Marshfield, East Bierley and St Anthony’s (Clayton), who won the sportsmanship award for teamwork and general conduct.

Tong High School games organiser Rachel Hargreaves said: “Despite the drizzle, it was a great event and all the teams impressed with their effort, enthusiasm and brilliant attitude.”

In the qualifier at Keighley Cricket Club, Eastwood Primary beat off fierce competition from Oakworth, Worth Valley and Nessfield to top the table.

They will now join Thornbury and other West Yorkshire schools at the area final on Thursday, June 19 at Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club.

There are two qualifers on Monday for the West Bradford area - at Thornton Cricket Club (9am-1pm) and Great Horton Church Cricket Club (noon-4pm).

Participating schools are - Thornton: Brackenhill, Farnham, Springwood, Ley Top A, Ley Top B, Keelham, Lidget Green, Clayton Village. Great Horton Church: Horton Park, Princeville, Southmere, Allerton, Copthorne.

The top two teams from each venue will play in a West Bradford final on Thursday, June 5 at Great Horton Church Cricket Club in order to find a qualifying team for the West Yorkshire area final at Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club later in the month.

The Drax Cup is the biggest under-nines cricket competition in the United Kingdom and the four Yorkshire area winners will play the finals at Headingley on Wednesday, July 2.