WELLINGTON College student Jack Davies helped England Under 19s end their World Cup adventure with a 32-run victory against hosts New Zealand yesterday, ensuring they finished seventh in the competition.

The Berkshire wicketkeeper-batsman came to the crease with his side in trouble at 48-3, but played a mature innings to score 63 from 76 balls and share a fourth-wicket stand of 129 with Tom Banton (112) which helped England post a competitive 261-7 from their 50 overs.

Former Berkshire colt Tom Scriven chipped in with 22 not out from just 13 balls late in the innings.

New Zealand appeared to be in complete control as they reached 201-3, but Berkshire off-spinner Euan Woods (3-44 from nine overs) combined with Will Jacks (3-41) to turn the game on its head as the host nation collapsed to 229 all out.

Davies – who enjoyed an outstanding tournament behind the stumps – conceded his first bye of the campaign in his sixth game, although he took a catch and added a stumping off the bowling of minor county teammate Woods.

England had been consigned to playing in the seventh/eighth place play-off following a disappointing defeat to Bangladesh on Sunday.

Davies (26 from 41 balls) was England’s third top-scorer in a sub-par total of 216 – they had been cruising on 143-1 – before their opponents (220-5) secured a five-wicket victory with 15 balls to spare.

Woods and Ethan Bamber – who also played for Berkshire last summer – grabbed a wicket apiece.

Davies ended a fine personal competition with 157 runs at an average of 52.33, and 11 dismissals (nine catches, two stumpings), while Woods and Bamber took eight wickets apiece at 12.87 and 13.50 respectively.