Three titles, one city identity

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By 2025, Yorkshire Junior Hundred Finals Day had become a familiar date for Sheffield teams. This year marked the city’s return after a gap, with Sharrow Stars qualifying through the Sheffield Junior Hundred and travelling to Bradford to represent the city once again.

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Sheffield’s record in the competition has been built over time rather than in a straight line. Early wins set a standard, missing out brought a pause, and this appearance felt like a chance to show that the structures behind the teams were still in place. Sharrow Stars arrived knowing they were representing more than just themselves, but the wider group of coaches, volunteers and organisers who had helped get them there.

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That showed in how the squad went about the day: organised, calm and familiar with the demands of the format.

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A county finals day that works

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Finals Day brought together city champions from Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees. Despite coming from different settings, the competition ran smoothly because every team had qualified through the same Junior Hundred format.

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Players knew the rules, the timings and what was expected of them, which meant matches started quickly and stayed competitive. Rather than needing time to adjust, teams were able to focus on decision-making and execution from the first ball.

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It felt less like four separate tournaments colliding, and more like the final stage of the same process being played out in different cities.

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What happens around the games

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Between matches, the atmosphere was relaxed and social. Players spoke to each other on the outfield, coaches stood together on the boundary, and volunteers moved between games keeping the day running smoothly.

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For many players, this was their first time travelling to represent a city rather than a school or club side. That change mattered. Wearing city colours, spending the whole day together and being part of a county event added a different level of responsibility and pride.

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Learning on and off the field

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Finals Day also showed how roles evolve within teams.

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A new captain took responsibility in the middle, while a former captain supported from the boundary as a coach. That shift was practical rather than symbolic — decisions were made, advice was shared, and the team adjusted as the day went on.

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These are the kinds of experiences that don’t come from single matches, but from staying involved in the game across seasons.

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After the final

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When the cricket finished, the takeaway wasn’t just the result.

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It was the experience of a full day at a county venue, travelling together, competing against other city champions and seeing where the Junior Hundred pathway can lead next. For some players, that will mean moving into club cricket or development programmes. For others, it will mean helping to set up or support teams back in their own communities.

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Either way, Finals Day served its purpose: giving young players a clear, practical next step and reinforcing that there is space for them in the game.