Teenage cricketer James Robinson was the star player in a thrilling last-ball victory, playing for Bishop Auckland Cricket Club’s senior third team against Barnard Castle CC’s thirds.

James, a Year 10 student at our school, scored 23 runs, Bishop Auckland, who batted first and made 197 for six from their 45 overs.

At one stage, Barnard Castle looked certain winners, as they were within sight of their victory target, with five wickets in hand, but in true boys own style, James saved the day.

James, at 15 one of the youngest on the team, claimed a run out, a catch and two wickets in the space of eight dramatic overs, playing a key role in the exciting finale. In the 44th and penultimate over, opener, Anthony Coatsworth, who had made 70 runs, smashed a ball towards the boundary. James, who was fielding at mid-wicket, leapt to his left and plucked the ball out of the air.

James then stepped up to bowl the last over, with Bishop only needing one wicket to win. His fifth ball stroked batsman Millery’s pads, – “not out”, was the umpire’s response to the cries of, “Howzat” from the Bishop Auckland side.

James went back to deliver the final ball of the game. His well pitched ball went past the batsman’s bat and struck his pads. “Howzat”, the whole Bishop team shouted and this time the umpire raised his finger to the delight of the Bishop players who ran to congratulate James.

Not surprisingly, James was named “man-of-the-match”. James’ achievement received coverage in the local press. A report, together with his photograph, appeared on the front page of Local Heroes, The Northern Echo’s weekly guide to grassroots sport. The story also appeared in the Wear Valley Mercury.

James was modest about his performance. “I had a really good game. I wasn’t nervous,” said James, who likes batting best.