ELTHAM College played host to the opening stages of the national headmasters and headmistresses conference (HMC) schools’ Twenty20 cricket tournament last month.

The HMC brings together around 250 leading independent schools in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Eltham College took on opponents from Whitgift School, Hampton School and Reed’s School at the all-day event, which saw two games take place at the same time.

The home side had a mixed day in the south east London pool and missed out on qualification to the south east of England event.

They posted a target of 161-8 in their encounter with Reed’s, who were dismissed for 89 to hand Eltham a convincing 72-run success.

However, Eltham (107) fell just five runs short against Whitgift (112-8) before suffering a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat at the hands of eventual pool winners Hampton (90-2).

Meanwhile, Eltham College cricket teams have started the season well in other contests with the first XI recording wins against Brentwood, Reigate and Trinity schools.

The second XI, U15A, U14A and U13A teams all remain unbeaten and with the first rounds of the Kent cups starting in the next few weeks, prospects are good for all of Eltham College’s sides.