Abberton's Kwik Cricket tournament merry-go-round got underway at an unusually sunny Boxted on Friday. Two teams set forth to proudly represent the club, with many of the children aged from 6 upwards taking part in their first competitive matches.

Abberton 1 took on teams from Colchester, Boxted and Kelvedon.

Highlights of their three matches included Josh Elson retiring two games in a row after smashing boundaries galore and reluctant bowler Anastiasia Frost seeing a catch go down off her first delivery but make up for it by snaring the same batsman only a few balls later. With three runs for a wide extras are always the deciding factor in short 5 over games, so it was heartening to see a real improvement in the accuracy and quality of the bowling throughout the tournament. The team played well but lost all three matches, although the last two games went to the very last ball and were narrow 3 and 5 run defeats.

There were also 3 defeats but plenty of highlights for Abberton 2.

Zach Armstrong got a round of applause from everyone at the tournament just for arriving in a Lambourghini! Debutant Corder had to retire twice after a series of powerful pulls and straight drives, and Molly Ellis's switch hit shots to continual leg side wides would have put Kevin Pietersen to shame. Jamie Calladine also smashed boundaries into the car park, much to the delight of his father and 1st team skipper Shaun, who was seen gleefully telling everyone in a Bumble-esque manner [midway through his fourth pint - Ed] to start their cars and get them out of there as it wasn't safe while his son was batting!

Plenty of positives and plenty to work on then for the next tournament, which is at Abberton on Friday 26th June. Thanks to Dangerous Dave Digby for his help wiith Abberton 2 and all the parents and familes for giving the children such outstanding support.  DW