Abingdon School’s exciting trip to Lord’s ended in disappointment when they suffered a last over defeat by Bedford School in the semi-finals of the National Schools Twenty/20 competition.

Forced to bat first, because three of their players – Josh Smith, Nat Watkins and Robbie Winearls – arrived 15 minutes later because they were taking exams, Abingdon were bowled out for 150 in 19 overs.

This was considered a below-par score on the small Nursery Ground. Abingdon paid for the lack of a major innings.

After a superb spell by Oxfordshire under 15 left-arm spinner Sasha Barras, who conceded only 16 runs in his four overs, Bedford required 45 from four overs.

But they then had one big over, and eventually squeezed home by four wickets with two balls to spare.

In the final, Bedford lost to Millfield, who became national champions.

Abingdon coach Damian Shirazi said: “It was a fanastic experience for us.

“To think that we were in the top four in the country is something special and provides a stepping stone to where we want to be.”