This August we hosted our annual summer tournament at Ardingly College. The tournament is a five-day event consisting of three 40 over group match games, followed by two days of 40 over trophy and plate semi finals and finals. This year, the entrants included two touring teams from the United Arab Emirates in the form of the Zayed Academy from Abu Dhabi and the ICC Global Cricket Academy from Dubai; they were joined by six United Kingdom County Cricket Clubs teams consisting of Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Oxfordshire, Isle of Wight, Lancashire and Sussex.
Seven of the eight teams were based in Ardingly College’s accommodation for the week, allowing the tourists to integrate with each other and experience a true touring experience (and to learn how to look after themselves away from home!)
Despite some rain delays, we were able to complete the tournament by merging the semi-finals day into the finals day, and reducing the format of both games to a T20. This revision proved a hit with the coaches, players and parents alike who enjoyed the spectacle of two games in one day.
The eventual Trophy winners were Buckinghamshire, who recovered from finishing second in their group to reach the final and beat Oxfordshire to the trophy. The plate competition was won by the Zayed Academy over Lancashire, in a close game that came down to the final ball – Lancashire needed to hit a 4 off it to win the game, but unfortunately were unable to do so.
This year’s tournament was a great success and we are already planning 2015. If you would like to register your interest for the tournament please contact us on this website.
