Cricketers excel at Malvern tournament

22nd June, 2010

Although Packwood won this 8-a-side tournament last time it was played in 2008 (the 2009 competition was called off due to swine flu) the team were by no means favourites this time around. The tournament is growing in prestige and many schools that wished to take part could not be included – Packwood was one of ten teams from across the country that competed.

Malvern had once again put on a wonderful tournament – the four pitches looked immaculate and all the teams were wearing coloured clothing, the balls were pink and pads were even provided this year to complement the teams’ colours. There was not a cloud in the sky – omens looked good.

Packwood began the defence of their title in impressive style emphatically seeing off teams from St John’s-on-the-Hill and Abberley, admittedly both weakened by the absence of a few key players. A closer encounter followed against Moulsford who provided determined opposition and made Packwood struggle for their third win in the group stages. In their final group match against The Downs, Packwood produced a wonderful display of batting scoring 138 runs in their eight overs.

With four victories behind them the boys moved on with confidence to their semi-final against a strong team from Beaudesert. Packwood had to chase for the first time, which they did impressively to the delight of their coach, the umpires and spectators alike, and so progressed to the final.

The mighty Sherborne were their opponents. With two particularly strong players - giants who bowled fast and whacked the ball for miles - they had swept away the rest of the tournament and looked like men against boys. Packwood won the toss and went on to score 94 without loss – a solid total but not enough if wickets were not taken. Of the balls in the first over, one delivery ended back in Shropshire, one in nearby Herefordshire and one could well have ended up in Kent...but the sixth ball was a thing of beauty, flighted, turned etc - all that matters is, it bowled him. The noise that went up around the wonderful ground clearly showed that Packwood had the neutrals on their side. However, the game was not over - the Packwood boys knew it and continued to be disciplined. They bowled out the second giant and then played out the last four overs with little incident. The job had been done.

To win a tournament is always satisfying but to do it with so much praise from so many people – for so many different reasons – is what it is all about. Every boy should be proud of their achievements – it really was a team effort, even though Earlam scored three million runs – he would have not been on the winning side without wonderful bowling, several other good innings and perfect fielding.

Well done to all.