Christ Church Downend do the double at county Kwik Cricket finals day
26 June 2014
Christ Church Downed has done the double after winning both of Gloucestershire’s Kwik Cricket county finals.
The school beat Henleaze to take home the open title (for boys and girls) and triumphed over Great Rissington to secure victory in the girls’ competition.
It was the second year in succession that Christ Church (pictured) were named county champions after securing the open title in 2013.
The final stages of both tournaments were held at the iconic Cheltenham College - home of the Cheltenham Cricket Festival – on June 20.
More than 200 children from 24 primary schools took part in the event after winning district festivals held at cricket clubs all over Gloucestershire.
The finals day consisted of a 16 team ‘open’ festival for boys and girls and an all-girls competition featuring the best eight schools.
In the open competition Christ Church Downed made sure of victory off the last ball after beating Henleaze by just three runs.
It was also a close affair in the girls’ tournament where Great Rissington lost out by five runs.
Hanham Abbotts were semi-finalists in a both competitions with competition were Westbury-On-Trym (open) and Frampton-on-Severn school Lakefield (girls) also just missing out on the final.
All the pupils taking part received Gloucestershire CCC goodie bags and met players Gareth Roderick and James Fuller who were on hand to sign autographs and lend a few words of wisdom.
To watch a video interview with their thoughts on the day see below:
Gloucestershire Cricket Board (GCB) projects and programmes manager Chris Munden said: “Kwik Cricket finals day is the highlight of our schools coaching programme and it was a wonderful day. Seeing more than 200 children playing cricket on the famous Cheltenham College ground is a magnificent sight and one that I am sure will live long in the children’s memory.
“The standard of play was fantastic and shows quality of coaching the children are receiving in schools. Our congratulations go to double-winners Christchurch Downend and to all of the schools who took part.
“Once again we have record numbers entering which demonstrates that the popularity of cricket in Gloucestershire continues to grow.”
The GCB currently coaches around 10,000 children in more than 50 schools across the county each year. It has recently signed a sponsorship deal with South West restaurant chain Mezze Restaurants which will allow them to reach a further 1000 pupils per year.
Finals day was supported by students from Cheltenham College and Newent Community School and players from the Gloucestershire Women’s team who helped umpire and score the matches.
