23SchoolsTwenty20.htm

The Forty Club Schools Twenty-20 competitions

2010

Surrey & West Sussex: 13th May 2010
Mole Valley Schools Twenty 20 tournament held at St John's School

Ashcombe School (Dorking)
More photos can be seen by clicking here

2009

Sadly for the young players looking forward to playing in the competition, the weather totally put paid to things for 2009 even after trying to rescedule. Click here for information

2008

During the November 2007 District Chairman's meeting there was discussion on how The Forty Club could raise its profile in other areas. One idea was to possibly help State School Cricket. The club has since its founding day been encouraging school cricket in Public and Grammar schools with great success by sending in teams of experienced cricketers to pass on our knowledge and love of the game, the question was how could we do this in inner city state schools. An idea floated by Adrian Gale of St John's School, Surrey, was that Forty Club Districts should organise Twenty/20 tournaments in their areas.

As a consequence on July 4th 2008 a competition for four Salford based State Schools at Worsley Cricket Club in Manchester was held. The weather on the day could not have been better and the result could not have been closer. The Forty Club district worked in close association with Danny McKeown (sports teacher at St George's High School) who helped get the schools interested, made introductions on behalf of The Forty Club and also the authorities at Worsley Cricket Club in Manchester where the games would be played.

The Forty Club Twenty/20 Tournament - 4th July 2008

The Northwest District has their fair share of inner city areas in major conurbations and knows that cricket is dying out at School level. They considered that the Club should help this worthy cause and take on board the challenge. As a consequence on July 4th this year a competition for four Salford based State Schools at Worsley Cricket Club in Manchester was held. The weather on the day could not have been better and the result could not have been closer. The Forty Club district worked in close association with Danny McKeown (sports teacher at St George's High School) who helped get the schools interested, made introductions on behalf of The Forty Club and also the authorities at Worsley Cricket Club in Manchester where the games would be played.

The schools that took part were St Ambrose Barlow High School from Swinton, Wentworth High School from Eccles and two schools from Walkden namely St Georges RC High School and Walkden High School. Two semi finals and then a final were played where over 150 parents, teachers and fellow pupils watched a closely contested match that could not have been scripted better.

Match 1
St Georges batted first scoring 96 all out, Richard Dempster top scoring with 26. In reply St Ambrose fell 17 runs short ending 79 all out with Stephen Edwards taking 4 of the wickets.
Match 2
Walkden batted first and totalled 98 off their 20 overs led by a good innings of 53 by Luke Norris. In reply Wentworth set off confidently, Wright scoring 26 but wickets fell and Walkden's grip tightened. Danny Williams with a good return of 5 for 17 was the pick of the bowlers and Wentworth were all out for 71 thereby leaving the final to be played between Walkden and St Ambrose.

The Final
St Georges batted first and runs were hard to get due to some tight bowling, Danny Williams again taking 3 wickets. Richard Dempster was the main stay for St Ambrose but even he could not help as wickets and partners disappeared at regular intervals as they closed all out for 66. Nathan Rushton and Luke Norris for Walkden set off in pursuit, aggressively putting on 25 quick runs before Rushton fell. Norris soon went as well and the runs dried up as the St George's bowlers took control. Matters were becoming tense in the crowd and very fraught on the pitch as Walkden began to creep up again. With 2 overs left, 6 to get and 8 wickets down the tail enders were struggling. By the time the last over started it became 9 down with 2 to get, spectators were offering all sorts of advice, finger nails were down to the quick. A nervy first ball of the last over was missed but the second was hit over mid on for two scampered runs and a thrilling win for the Walkden boys who invaded the pitch to congratulate their mates whilst St Ambrose heads were held in despair.

A fantastic exciting final and the winners, Walkden High School, were presented with the Forty Club Trophy and £500 of Surridge Sports Vouchers by Lancashire Cricket Board Chairman and Forty Club member Andrew Hayhurst. Richard Evans presented Luke Norris and Richard Dempster man of the match awards for the semi final games and Danny Williams' bowling earned him player of the tournament. St Georges received £250 vouchers and the loosing semi finalists £125 vouchers each.

Was this venture a success? Should other districts have a go? The majority of the boys playing were members of local cricket clubs and get all the available coaching. But there were boys there who were evidently unattached to clubs and not regular cricketers just by their dress. It did not stop one of them taking part for their school or enjoying their day, if just one of them goes back to their parents and asks to join a cricket club we could claim a success. If a school sports coordinator contacts their local county cricket authority for help as happened on this day, we could claim a success. If other Forty Club districts could do the same, how many more cricketers from poorer backgrounds could we get playing our game? Surely Forty Club has a responsibility to try under our founders stated aim to take cricket to the schools. The schools that took part in this tournament do play in a limited league amongst themselves but The Forty Club have provided another element in their fixture list they could look forward to annually.

The Northwest think this is a great concept and plans are already afoot to have a second competition in the Rossendale Valley. It does take time and effort to set up but they strongly advise other districts to try. Thanks must go to the Schools and their staff, to Danny McKeown and to Richard Hope of the Forty Club Northwest district who did the bulk of the organisation.