Lincolnshire Cricket

Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st June 2012 - Lincolnshire Showground

As you will no doubt be aware, last week was the annual Lincolnshire Show where we were lucky enough to hold our spot with the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership for the fourth consecutive year. Yet again we were joined by the fantastic ECB Cricket Factory Roadshow and their rig, giving the youth of Lincolnshire the opportunity to showcase their batting, bowling and fielding techniques. Not only this, but out new 2012 sponsors 'Batting 46' generously leant us their 'Crazy Catch' and gazebo - the latter proving very useful on the Thursday.

Back to Wednesday for now... The day started at 8am as the Lincs Cricket team joined forces with the Cricket Factory at a sun drenched showground ready and raring to go. As the first young people started to come and join in, the crowds gathered and the day got under way!

As 11am grew closer, a certain buzz started to build as a very special guest was due to arrive. As sponsors of the Cricket Factory, Clyesdale Bank very kindly arranged for former England cricketer Alec Stewart OBE to come for a visit. As Alec arrived on scene, the media buzz turned up a few notches with reporters, photographers and film crews from the BBC, ITV and local network Channel 7 at the ready. Alec chose a lucky selection of young boys and girls from the crowd and coached them on the various elements within the rig. After interviewing with the media, Alec kindly took the time to pose for photographs with members of the crowd and the Lincs Cricket team.

Although Alec was unable to stay for the whole day with us, he was kind and approachable for all the young players. He signed t-shirts, photos, miniature bats and even a book, not to mention all the goodies he signed for us which will be raffled and auctioned off in due course - watch this space!

Before disappearing to catch a train back to London, he managed to get in a cheeky training session with our very own Rachael Dyer - skill you will no doubt see her pass on to the girl's squads and other coaches before long.

The rest of Wednesday went well with children and adults alike participating in the 'Crazy Catch Challenge' helping to raise funds for Lincs Cricket and the Lincs Sports Partnership. It all came down to a tough head to head finale between two young lads but the overall chamion was 14 year old George Denby with a massive 69 catches in just 20 seconds, beating fellow teen William Allis by just one catch! A huge congratulations to George who walks away with £50 worth of vouchers for Batting 46.

Unfortunately the story was not so bright for Thursday where the weather took a sorry turn for the worse... Arriving at the Showground armed with wellies and waterproofs our team were ready for nearly anything. As the rain kept on pouring the site became not too dissimilar to a boggy festival site, but it didn't stop the crowds from flocking in. When the breaks in the rain did finally come, we were busy coaching away the queues of school children eagerly awaiting.

Despite the disappointing weather on the second day, we still saw 600 children through the gates of the rig which is a fantastic achievement.

We would like to say a big 'thank you' to ECB Cricket Factory, Clyesdale Bank, Alec Stewart OBE, Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, Lincolnshire Showground and Batting 46 for your support. We must also thank those members of our team who worked tirelessly in the run up to the event and on the day; Gail Clark, Paula Withers, Rachael Dyer, Martin Shillito, Matty Snee, James Dewhurst and Kevin Spence. One member of our team, Niall Young, was unable to attend the show as he welcomed in a new arrival to his family - welcome to the world Baby Young! Finally, thank you to everyone who came along; enjoy your goody bags and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Report written by Paula Withers.

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