Devon Cricket Board - Heathcoat host schools Kwik cricket tourney

Heathcoat host schools Kwik cricket tourney

Words and pictures courtesy of the Mid Devon Gazette

HOURS of cricketing fun were enjoyed by more than 120 youngsters from schools from Tiverton and the surrounding area at a day-long cricket tournament last week.

Despite initial concerns that poor weather might lead to the postponement of the event, the game was on for five schools who sent teams to the event which is now in its third year.

The event was organised by Heathcoat Cricket Club and played on the club’s pitches at Knightshayes.

Following a morning and afternoon of Kwik Cricket games, Two Moors Primary School’s A team beat Tidcombe A to claim the Amory Cup, while Bickleigh-on-Exe Church of England Primary School won the Amory Plate after beating St John’s Roman Catholic Primary School, while Rackenford Primary won an award for best sportsmanship.

David Goode, headteacher at Bickleigh Primary School said: “To play at Knightshayes is fabulous and we are very grateful to Heathcoat Cricket Club for allowing us to play on their pitch. Many teams are loathe to have young people on their hallowed ground but Heathcoat is committed to promoting the game to youngsters and the coaching they gave during the day really helped the youngsters to improve their play.”

The Kwik cricket rules involve teams of eight playing eight over a side, with pairs of players batting for two overs each to give everyone a chance to bat and bowl.

Joe Smith, one of a handful of Heathcoat players who has recently achieved ECB level 2 coaching status, said there was plenty of room to pass on tips to the youngsters.

He said: “We tried to provide coaching without interrupting the flow of the game.

“We would stop the game briefly and impart a bit of wisdom and it was great to see during the day the progress the players made.”

Joe said the club hoped more young players would become interested in playing with a full-sized bat and leather cricket ball.

“Kwik cricket is quite a well-designed game and there is good progression onto the full form of the game,” he said.

Joe said the junior section of the club was thriving at present and there were also plans to expand the range of the youth outreach cricket project.

Joe said: “Throughout the summer in addition to regular youth cricket on a Friday night, if there is demand for some more coaching sessions we hope to be able to run them.”

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