Club Life: Cricket Wales partner Girlguiding Cymru and young guns shine

RHODRI EVANS dives into a selection of stories from around the club cricket scene

Cricket Wales team up with Girlguiding Cymru

Cricket Wales are joining forces with Girlguiding Cymru for summer 2022 with the aim of encouraging more girls in Wales to play cricket.

Children involved in Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers will have the opportunity to take part in local cricket sessions and the Cricket Challenge, which includes a brand new Cricket Wales/Girlguiding Cymru badge.

Sections will also have the opportunity to experience a live game at Sophia Gardens, home of Glamorgan, Western Storm, Welsh Fire and Wales.

Commenting on the partnership's launch, Leshia Hawkins, CEO of Cricket Wales, said, "Wales has already seen an explosion in cricket participation among girls in the last five years – especially in All Stars Cricket and Dynamos sessions in clubs.

"I am particularly excited about this partnership's potential reach, which I'm sure will mean even more girls will be inspired to say, 'Cricket is a game for me', and further amplify and enable our lofty ambitions for female participation in Wales."

^{Cookham Dean's Alfie Agar}

Teen batter stars in Voneus Village Cup

Cookham Dean were staring down the barrel of defeat against Binfield in round two of the Voneus Village Cup before 14-year-old batter Alfie Agar stepped up to save the day.

Chasing 200, the Berkshire side were 120 for 4 with fewer than 15 overs remaining and 'tiny' Agar – who boasted a first XI high score of 18 prior to Sunday's match – the last batter to come before a lengthy tail.

However, they needn’t have worried. After taking a few balls to get his eye in, Agar smashed 74 runs from 36 balls – including 13 fours and two sixes – to wrap up the win inside half an hour and set up a round three clash with Sonning on May 22.

Behind the stumps, the diminutive wicketkeeper took one catch and completed one stumping.

Teenage brothers thwart Root and Vaughan’s childhood club

Brothers Sam and James Evans had a match to remember for Hollinsend Methodist 3rd XI on April 30 as they starred in their side's victory over Sheffield Collegiate 5th XI – whose former players include Joe Root and Michael Vaughan.

14-year-old James scored his first senior century in the fixture, finishing not out on 106. 15-year-old Sam, meanwhile, also had the opportunity to raise his bat, scoring a six to reach his half-century off the final delivery of the innings.

Hollinsend closed on 263 for 3 and bowled Sheffield out for just 91 runs – Sam returning figures of 2 for 10 from six overs – to record a 172-run win.

^{Sam (left) and James Evans (right) of Hollinsend Methodist CC}

Sport England funding available

Cricket clubs across the country could receive up to £10,000 in funding from Sport England to improve their facilities.

Launched in November 2021, the Sport England Places & Spaces fund initially set out to help sport clubs in the West Midlands as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games legacy.

Now, the fund, which totals £7 million, is being rolled out nationwide to help sports club, charities, community groups, local councils and schools bring communities together.

To receive matched funding, clubs must be running a crowdfunding campaign of their own.

Sport England CEO, Tim Hollingsworth, said: "Birmingham 2022 must be used as a catalyst to help communities all over the country get active, connect, and have fun.

"By making our Places & Spaces fund available nationally, and focusing on areas with the greatest need, we’re allowing organisations to provide brilliant new facilities in their local area to help tackle inequalities and allow everyone to get active in outstanding environments."

For more information and to find out how to apply, please go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/places-and-spaces

^{Rolvenden Cricket Club in Kent}

Village cricket club bowled over by grant

Rolvenden Cricket Club would like to thank Persimmon Homes for their four-figure donation towards improving the club’s facilities.

The Ashford-based side secured the money through the company’s Community Champion scheme which provides two donations of up to £1,000 to a local charity or good cause every month. 

Club captain, Steve Stickels, who applied for the funding said: "We are a small village club that plays in Division 3 of the Kent village league. During the 2020/21 season, we managed to secure sponsors and grants that enabled us to fix our roof and order a new score board.

"Thank you to Persimmon Homes for this Community Champions donation, it will make a real difference to the improvements we are making here at the club."

^{Header photo courtesy of Cricket Wales}