YOUNG cricketers from Harrow celebrated a resounding victory for the area scoring gold in the final of a competition on Sunday.

The cricket team, made up of youngsters from schools in Harrow, edged past rivals Havering at the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games Indoor Cricket finals held at Lord’s.

The games, funded by Sport England National Lottery, are Europe’s largest annual youth sports event.

Earlier in the day the team beat Haringey by 138 runs to 92 runs, setting the highest innings of the day.

They then overtook Bromley’s 80 runs to earn their place in the final, beating Havering.

They had earned their place at the event after winning through qualifying rounds at Harrow Leisure Centre, in Christchurch Avenue, last month.

More than 120 young people, aged 13 and under, from across London took part in Sunday’s finals, watched by around 200 spectators.

Harrow coach Raj Kanagaraj said: “We’re very, very happy. It’s a very competitive competition so you need some luck as well.

"We did the basics right. Our running between the wickets was good. We won the toss and put Havering in to bat and they set a challenging score.

“We lost two quick wickets and were behind on the run rate which put us under pressure.

"But our captain Kushal Patel got 38 not out and he played brilliantly. It was a good team performance. We’re going out for dinner to celebrate.”

England and Middlesex cricket player Beth Morgan attended the event and presented prizes to the medallists.

England and Arsenal ladies footballer Rachel Yankey is youth games patron.

She said: “Congratulations to Harrow. To win a gold medal is a fantastic achievement.

“To prove yourselves to be amongst the most talented young sportsmen in London when competitive sport enjoys such a high profile in the city, is a real accomplishment. Well done Harrow.”

The games have 26 competition days through to finals weekend at the National Sports Centre, in Crystal Palace on July 2 and 3.