Haddenham Cricket Club hosted their second Junior Cricket Tournament in mid-June. Much like last year, the morning of the tournament started off with drizzle. Unlike last year, the drizzle did not clear and the tournament got off to a very soggy start – typical of the whole of June!
Happily the visiting teams were full of enthusiasm, and were willing to get the games played despite the un-cricket weather. The coaches and spectators were fantastic at supporting the kids from under umbrellas and gazebos, and the refreshments stall did a steady trade in warming cups of coffee.
The U7s looked brilliant in their colourful match t-shirts, and it was great to see them grow in confidence as the morning went on. The tournament was non-competitive for the littlest ones who all went home with medals.
In the U9s competition, there were two groups with teams from Haddenham, Bledlow, Aston Rowant, Waddesdon and at the end of the group stages Dinton met Horspath in the final. Playing the Kwik Cricket format, the players showed some excellent skills and a close game was won by Dinton, who retained the trophy they won last year.
The sun finally came out in the afternoon when the U11s were playing. The mood was competitive but fun, and all the teams represented their clubs with pride. At the end of the group stages, the results were so close that the play-offs needed to be decided by wickets taken (the cricket equivalent of goal difference). The final for the trophy was between Haddenham Kites and Aston Rowant, and after a high scoring game, Haddenham lifted the trophy.
Haddenham Cricket Club wish to thank the Haddenham Beer Festival Trust who made sure that the club could lay on the extra touches that made it such a fabulous day. Thanks are also due to all the volunteers who umpired, scored, baked, barbecued and ran the refreshments stalls – these events are never possible without this support from the community.
