Ten students from William Howard School in Brampton have made it into the national final of The Lord’s Taverners Table Cricket Tournament.

Earlier this month the team competed in the north-east regional finals in Durham.

They beat all those who came before them and were paired with Carlisle’s Trinity School in the final.

It was a fierce competition but the Brampton team held their own to take home the title of regional champions.

Their win also means they will be heading to the national finals in central London at The Lord’s Taverners next month.

Captain Tom Harmer, 15 from Alston, was ecstatic about the win: “I do feel incredible that we’re going to the finals, we’re going to Lord’s again. This is just unfathomable, that’s all I can put it as.”

Table cricket is inclusive so everybody has the opportunity to get involved in the competitive sport, regardless of their ability.

It’s played on a table tennis table with fielders positioned to prevent the runs.

Batters score points by hitting the ball into scoring zones while attempting to avoid fielders

Tracey Croucher, 50, is the learning support teacher who assists with the table cricket training. She set up inclusive sports in the school to give children the chance to get involved in something they may otherwise have not been able to.

Although the team has made it to the national final before, she said that this year was a bit of a surprise.

“They were amazed because they weren’t expecting it at all this time because we haven’t done quite as well this year.

“For some of them this may be the last time they can do it because they have GCSEs next year.”

Josie Wright, 14, from Castle Carrock, said: “There are other good teams in London so we might not win but we’ll try our best which I think is good enough. We need to practice a lot to get to London, to try our best, and to win.”