Kent Cricket Board’s under 9 Mini Super 8s County Finals day sponsored by Next Step Fostering saw 24 Cricket Clubs converge on Hesketh Park in Dartford on Sunday.
The day is a culmination of a competition which saw 82 teams participate in local qualifying events with the winners advancing to Finals day.
Starting at 10am, all teams played round robin leagues during the morning with the highest placed winners progressing to play in the finals league. Bearsted, Tunbridge Wells, Dartford, Otford, Chestfield and Horsemonden then battled it out in the afternoon with some outstanding and high quality cricket on display.
The grand final saw Otford take on Chestfield with both sides undefeated prior to the final. After a tense and close match with some excellent cricket from both sides Chestfield ran out as winners and clinched the 2012 trophy.
Clair Gould Director of Kent Cricket Board said: ‘It is fantastic to see 240 children in bright shirts with equally bright smiles enjoying this fabulous event with so many of their family gaining pleasure too. All games were played in the best spirit and these events can only inspire more people to get involved in sport. Cricket development is thriving in Kent and is boosted by new partnerships such as the one with Next Step Fostering, and our thanks go to them for their support’.
Lesley Ward of Next Step Fostering commented: ‘I am delighted that Next Step can support all young people in sporting activities, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Kent Cricket Board and supporting the under 9 Mini Super 8’s competition’.
At the close of another excellent competition, the Kent Cricket Board would once again like to extend their thanks to the event organisers Andy Pye and Graeme Muir, all managers, coaches and parents for making the competition a success, and Dartford CC for hosting the Finals day.
Final results (top 24 out of 82 teams):
1 Chestfield
2 Otford
3 Tunbridge Wells
4 Bearsted
5 Dartford
= Horsmonden
7 Plaxtol
8 Horton Kirby
9 Marden Monsters
10 Old Elthamians
11 Leeds and Broomfield B
= Bells Yew Green
13 OD Cuaco
14 Leeds and Broomfield A
15 Castle Hill
16 Old Wilsonians
17 Greenwich Juniors
= Bexley Broadstairs
19 Blackheath
20 Bexley Bairstow
21 Hollingbourne
22 Kings Hill
23 Marden Mammoths
= Farningham