NEWPORT CC have won the 2005 MCC Spirit of Cricket U13 National Club Championships, which took place this week at Oakham School in Rutland.

Pace bowlers Imran Hussan and Najaf Iqbal were dominant as the Welsh side romped to the title with victory in all of their seven matches.

The Finals took place over four days of competition, in which the teams played each other at least once. The other finalists were Bath CC (South West Region); South Northumberland CC (North East & Scotland); Porthill Park CC (North West); Doncaster Town CC (Yorkshire); Radcliffe on Trent CC (North Midlands); Harrow St Mary's CC (South & South East); Ilford CC (Essex).

More than 1,600 teams entered the 2005 Championship. Each of ECB's 38 counties held their own competition to arrive at a county champion, who then went on to compete in the Regional Finals.

Max Scarr, the captain of Newport CC, was presented with the Ken Barrington Cup, by Ken's widow Ann. In keeping with the sponsorship of the competition, the Spirit of Cricket Award for fair play was awarded to South Northumberland CC.

Roger Knight, Secretary & Chief Executive of MCC, speaking at the presentation ceremony, said: "Congratulations to Newport CC on their well-deserved victory. In an exciting week of competition, the standard of play has been excellent and the tournament was played in the right spirit throughout. I am delighted that MCC Spirit of Cricket is supporting the National U13 Club Championships for a third year, and it was pleasing to see South Northumberland CC win the Spirit of Cricket Award for fair play.

"All eight teams must be complimented on reaching Finals week - a significant achievement. I hope that each cricketer has enjoyed the competition, both on and off the field, and made friends with players who they may encounter on the pitch in the years to come."

This is the second consecutive year in which the MCC Spirit of Cricket Under 13 National Club Champions have qualified from the West Midlands section - Leamington CC were victors in 2004.