Welsh pupils got the chance to visit the English home of cricket by taking part in the Lord’s Taverners National Table Cricket Finals.

The Merthyr Tydfil-based Greenfield School side were one of 12 to compete in the Nursery Pavilion, at Lord’s Cricket Ground, for the right to call themselves national champions.

Gerwyn Davis, who works as a sports development officer at the school, paid tribute to the sport's power to positively influence the lives of his students.

“I love table cricket because it gives students opportunities who cannot compete in mainstream sports,” said Davis.

“It brings our students together, teaches them how to work as a team and helps to build their self-esteem and confidence.

“Playing table cricket helps our students to improve their behaviour. We have had children who were difficult in the classroom become much calmer when they get involved.

“They are able to make new friends, build their confidence and gain social skills to build relationships with others.

“Our students don’t often get the same opportunities as others in live, but table cricket allows them to change that.”

More than 400 schools and nearly 8,000 disabled young people took part during the heats of the competition, now into its 21st year, which is made possible thanks to the support of players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and Ford.

Played on a table tennis table with side panels and sliding fielders, a ball launcher, weighted plastic ball and wooden bat, table cricket enables young people with severe physical and learning disabilities to enjoy cricket and represent their school on a competitive basis.

The game not only gives opportunities for competitive play and social integrations, it also improves life-skills including self-confidence, independence and social skills. An enhanced role for the captain also allows for the development of leadership skills.

Pupil Dawid Jankowski, 10, had the time of his life playing his favourite sport at the home of cricket.

“I felt so lucky to play at Lord’s. It was amazing to meet so many people from different schools that I hadn’t met before,” said the Year 6 pupil.

“I love table cricket because you really have to concentrate on your tactics and try and hit the corners and the sides to score points.

“It was a fantastic day and I really enjoyed playing against all the other schools.”

Watching on at Lord’s was Radio 1 DJ, cricket lover and Lord’s Taverners Table Cricket Ambassador Greg James, as well as Middlesex wicketkeeper and Lord’s Taverners ambassador John Simpson.

And BBC star James was excited to see the charity making cricket available to people of all abilities.

"Table cricket needs its own particular set of skills and the kids in the Finals were very skilled at it," said James.

"Coming to Lord's is always exciting - I was blown away the first time I came - and they will have made lifelong memories from playing there.

"Sport is for all and it should be, which is why it's so good the Taverners gave the kids this opportunity.”

The Lord’s Taverners is the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity whose aim is to give disadvantaged and disabled young people a sporting chance – go to www.lordstaverners.org to find out more.