MALVERN College are through to the national semi-finals of the Lords Taverners Cricketer Colts Trophy for under 15s.

They beat Bedford School by 16 runs in a pulsating Midlands final, to set up a home meeting with Northern group champions King's, Macclesfield tomorrow, starting at 2pm.

Opting to bat the College took the game to the somewhat nervous Bedford bowlers, with Will Clifford in imperious form as he made an excellent 114. He was ably supported by Charles Tolchard (24) and Will Murtagh (41) as Malvern rattled up 228-5 in their 40 overs.

Bedford, however, rose to the challenge and were 107-1 after 21 overs with England U15 batsman Cook leading the charge in a stand of 96 with Soul. But then Tolchard (2-27) returned to remove Soul for 46, and John Baker, trundling in from the Rackets Courts end, produced an inspirational spell to finish with 3-42.

Cook remained but Malvern produced some excellent straight bowling in the dying overs, and Cook was eventually out in the final over for a well deserved 101 as the visitors were dismissed for 212.

The winners of tomorrow's match will proceed to the final against either Millfield or Whitgift at Trent Bridge on July 12.