The kwik cricket season got underway at The Brow on Friday with the inaugural Abberton – St. Nicholas Challenge. The challenge featured four teams, two from the club and two from St Nicholas Primary School, Tolleshunt D’Arcy. All of the children playing on both sides had been (sadly) coached by Daniel Woodrow, so there were plenty of leg side slogs and visits to the BBQ guaranteed! Using a round-robin format, the teams all played each other. The winning team each received medals, everyone got a certificate and thanks to Worsop Stebbing’s kind donation, a cricket bat signed by Ravi Bopara was presented to the player of the tournament for each team as chosen by the umpires and scorers.

The final game between Abberton A and St Nicholas A became a winner-takes-all final, while the two B teams played off for third and fourth place. Despite some excellent fielding and outstanding batting from their player of the tournament Josh Tierney, ably supported by Josh Elson, Abberton B came in fourth, although it was really encouraging to see so many children make their debuts for the club and enjoy taking part, with Daniel Worskitt and Andrew Sullivan showing real glimpses of potential. St Nicholas B finished third, helped by some lusty blows from Christopher Lewis and an outstanding all-round performance from their player of the tournament Sarah King.

The deciding final game was a very close, exciting affair, with over 100 runs being scored in just twelve overs. In the end, Fred Worboy and Emmie Bolding’s partnership of 27 runs saw St Nicholas home as the winners, with Fred receiving the player of the tournament award for his all round contributions. Meg House defied yet another illness / injury to play well for the hosts and, for a while it looked as though Will House and Joseph Rippington were going to do enough to squeeze Abberton home. Sadly a late flurry of wickets saw them lose by seven runs, with Cameron Wake picking up the signed Bopara bat.

With Ashley Edwards putting Gordon Ramsay’s food (and language) to shame in the kitchen despite a power cut, Barry Rudlin keeping the bar going and Chris Pettit continuing to show great support to the club by umpiring throughout the event, it was a really positive evening.

Over thirty children got a game of cricket, the rain stayed away and everyone enjoyed the friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It’s just a shame that the coach’s schoolchildren found out about so many of his club nicknames and stories from 'helpful' players: the first day back at school next week should be very interesting for 'Mr Mary'! DW