LAST week Derby Field at Wellington College was the venue for the Bracknell Forest Festival of Kwik Cricket. The event is organised as part of the Borough Council’s Young People in Sport Scheme along side the School Sport Partnership.

The recent warm weather continued and conditions were perfect as the year 6A and Girls teams battled for places in the Berkshire Finals at the end of term.

The Year 6A section competition was keen from the start with a number of close fought games. The 4 group winners would qualify for the semi-finals so there was no margin for error.

As it turned out all 4 group winners won all their matches with St Margaret Clitherow, St Michaels Sandhurst, Whitegrove, and Uplands showing good form to reach the semi finals.

In the first semi-final Whitegrove batted first, setting a target 216 runs. Uplands scored steadily, and maintained their focus into the final few overs where they were sensible and delivered a 12 run victory.

In the other semi-final St Margaret Clitherow batted first and starting well and maintaining scoring to reach 235 after their 8 overs. St Michaels Sandhurst started slower playing cautiously and started to accelerate towards the end of their innings. The last pair scored well but couldn’t quite manage to reach the target coming 15 runs short.

In the final St Margaret Clitherow batted first and the opening pair creating a steady foundation. Wickets then started to fall stifling the scoring ending in posting a 213 runs. Uplands opening pair started well with the mid order pushing on well. Knowing they were well ahead the final batters took no risks to emerge victorious by 28 runs.

In the Girls group games there was a similar pattern to the 6A section with Wildridings, St Josephs, Winkfield St Marys and Whitegrove each topping their groups.

In the semi-finals St Josephs batted first in a well constructed innings to set a target of 247. Wildridings were kept in check by tight bowling but fell short reaching 208. Winkfield batted first in the second semi-final but struggled as wickets fell regularly throughout their innings. Whitegrove batted knowing that they did not need to be flamboyant and run out comfortable winners.

The girls final was played in great spirit with some excellent cricket being played. St Josephs batted first and were put under pressure from the outset by some tight bowling. This continued for Whitegroves 8 overs some tight fielding kept St Josephs to 201 runs. Whitegroves first batting pair immediately accelerated putting on 18 runs in the first 2 overs. The rest of the innings was batted sensibly with Whitgrove compiling 258 to be crowned winners.

All in all a great day of Kwik cricket with over 500 children taking part.