Cricketers from an independent school in Liphook have been crowned national champions.

A rain-curtailed final in York meant Highfield and Brookham shared the title in the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) under-13 boys’ competition with Millfield.

Millfield were left chasing a tricky 79 for victory and were a wicket down early in their reply when the heavens opened and left the St Peter’s School outfield waterlogged. With no further play possible, the two coaches agreed to share the spoils.

The result meant a first national cricket title for a Highfield and Brookham under-13 side, which was this year made up of Year 7 and Year 8 children who battled their way past Barrow Hills, Seaford College, Brighton College and Bede’s to take their place among the last four on finals day at St Peter’s.

Victory against Watford-based St Martin’s in the semi-finals set up a tense final with Millfield before the inclement British weather had the last word.

The shared national title triumph in North Yorkshire completed a good year on the cricket pitch for Highfield and Brookham as the under-11 boys were crowned IAPS cricket festival champions at Merchant Taylor’s School in Northwood in May.

Suzannah Cryer, head of Highfield and Brookham, said: “We were absolutely delighted when our Year 6 cricketers won an IAPS title in May, and now our boys have followed suit in the oldest age group. It really has been a wonderful summer of cricket.

“It was a very tense day in York for head coach Richard Dunn and his young players, but they proved at every stage of the competition that they are truly united, encouraging each other and sharing in each other’s successes every step of the way. We couldn’t be more proud.”