Ready for the cricket crunch

Wednesday June 17, 2009

Kevin Johnson and Jayda David from Lena Gardens batting.

The opening exchanges are over – it’s crunch time now for the borough’s young cricketers.

Ten primary schools will battle it out in the Hammersmith & Fulham Mixed Cricket Competition final today (June 16) after blitzing the field at a preliminary contest last week.

A total of 18 schools competed in two separate preliminary contests on June 12, with 12 playing at a northern event in Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith, and the rest at a southern meet in Hurlingham Park, Fulham.

The one-day preliminary event involved a total of 120 boys and girls, mainly from Years 5 and 6.

Both northern and southern contests featured a round-robin style competition with each match limited to eight overs. Each team started with 200 runs, and lost five runs every time a player was out.

John Betts emerged as winners of the northern preliminary, snatching victory from second-placed Old Oak in a closely fought final match of the day, winning 274 runs to 264.

St Mary’s came third, followed by Brackenbury, St Stephen’s and Greenside, all of which will compete in today’s final.

In the southern preliminary event, Sir John Lillie Primary School came first after sealing a decisive win of 100 runs to 53 over runners-up Normand Croft Community School in the final.

Third-placed New Kings and fourth-placed Queens Manor will also go through to the final.

Omid Quimmi, 10, from Lena Gardens, said: “It’s been really fun, I was excited this morning and looking forward to playing.” Team-mate Reice Keziah, 11, added: “I was surprised because I didn’t even know we were playing this morning but I am having lots of fun and am happy to be here.”

Miles Coverdale player Clay George, nine, said: “I am really enjoying it. It’s been fun but we want  to win!”

Lena Gardens cricket coach Dan Rodeck said: “This sports day has been going on for several years and we are really pleased to be taking part.

“We try to make this a special thing for the Year 6 kids and they are all very excited about it.”

The top 10 schools will compete in the final at Shepherds Bush Cricket Club today, vying for a position in the city-wide London Schools Cricket Competition on July 1 in Regent’s Park.

Dan added: “We don’t have much space for practice at the school but the kids are doing really well.”

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