Kwik Cricket at Fonthill Park

On Thursday 14 June five local primary schools gathered for our first ever Kwik Cricket festival. Over 50 boys and girls in years 4, 5 and 6 from Hindon, Dinton, Semley, Wardour and Chilmark schools competed in teams of eight in simultaneous games on two pitches, where every school played each other once. In Kwik Cricket players bat in pairs and everyone has to bowl one over; teams start with 200 runs and lose 5 for every wicket lost.

At the end of the afternoon a trophy was presented to the winning and undefeated team from Wardour Primary School by FPCC junior and Wiltshire County Women's team player Holly White who took the day off from her A-Level revision. The aims of the day had been to enjoy playing cricket and to learn from the experience. Holly said how much she enjoyed cricket and encouraged the children to get out there and play, especially the girls. The teachers accompanying their teams and the umpires all commended the enthusiasm and sportsmanship of the children, and commented on the learning that had taken place during the day and how the children had clearly grown in confidence as the day had progressed.

Back at school each child in every team was given a certificate of participation.

Many of the Wardour team were no strangers to the ground, and their captain Dan Bazen eloquently summed up his feelings. "The day was amazing. It was great to be able to play against other local schools and to be able to play on the ground where some of our dads already play. We had great fun and especially as this was the first time it had been done for us, we are really grateful. We were delighted to win, and it was a nice way for us to end our Year 6."

As if that wasn't enough for one day, Ashley Major's midweek team secured their first victory of the season, posting 137 for 3 (Chris Dean 31, Ed Spicer 74no) against Gillingham Schoolmasters and then restricting them to 87 for 6.

All told, a very successful day.