Leicestershire Hosts Dynamos School Cricket Finals

Leicestershire welcomed 150 schoolchildren this week for an unforgettable playing experience at Uptonsteel County Ground.

Led by the Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket Foundation, the days gave Year 5 and Year 6 students from across Leicestershire the opportunity to be crowned Dynamos School Cricket champions following more localised competitions earlier in the summer.

Merrydale Junior School took home the open trophy on Tuesday after beating Avenue Primary School in the final, while St Mary’s and St Joseph’s RC Primary also pipped Avenue to claim the girls’ title on Wednesday.

Foxes stars Liam Trevaskis, Sam Wood, and Aimee Colquhoun were on hand to present medals and trophies to the finalists, as well as sign an autograph or two.

A fun form of the game for primary school students, Dynamos Cricket is a 40-ball per side match. Played in teams of eight, the format ensures each player has the chance to bowl five deliveries and bat in pairs for ten balls “ with the highest scoring team winning the game.

Both days held a group stage format, split into two groups, with first and second place in each table progressing to the semi-finals. The winners of both knockout matches then competed for the ultimate prize in the final, which was broadcast on the big screen at Uptonsteel County Ground.

Harry Scoble, Cricket Development Coach for Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket Foundation, organised the event. He said: “It was fantastic to see so many kids enjoying the unique experience of playing at Uptonsteel County Ground and making a lifelong memory with their friends.

“The finals were played to a high standard and in a brilliantly competitive spirit, plus the weather made for a perfect couple of days. Hopefully events like this further inspire kids to fall in love with cricket, building the Foxes fans and players of the future.”

Respective winners, Merrydale Junior and St Mary’s and St Joseph’s, plus both Avenue Primary sides, will progress to represent Leicestershire in a county final against Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire on 11 July.