Millbank Primary School crowned winner at Inter-School Kwik Cricket Festival in Buckie
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MILLBANK Primary was crowned champion at last week's Inter-School Kwik Cricket Festival in Buckie.
Eight local primary schools converged on Linzee Gordon Park on Wednesday, May 11, for the return of the festival, which was running for the first time since 2019.
The eight schools – all in the Buckie area – were split into two groups of four, with the winners of each qualifying automatically for the Moray Finals.
The runners-up of each group were then left to fight it out for the third qualifying position in a tense play-off.
In group one, Millbank won all of their matches, with St Peters finishing second place – only losing to the group winners a tight game that could have gone either way.
Group two saw Findochty come through as winners, winning all of their matches. Cluny secured second place.
Cluny and St Peter's were left to play off for the third qualification spot after securing runner-up spots in the groups.
Cluny decided to bat first and posted a very respectable 247 runs.
St. Peters bowled well but would need to bat equally well. At the half way stage it was difficult to pick a winner, but St. Peters saved the big hitters for last and managed to amass 269 runs to win.
With the three qualifiers decided, it was time to decide the day's overall champion as group winners Millbank and Findochty fought it out in the final.
Findochty – winners in 2019 – won the toss and decided to bat first. But they lost wickets early as Millbank bowled well. The defending champions eventually ended on 220 runs.
Millbank were in no mood for holding back as they came to the crease and, despite some impressive Findochty bowling late on, racked up 261 runs to clinch the trophy.
A Buckie Cricket Club spokesperson said: "All the games were played in the best spirit with teams being gracious regardless of winning or losing.
"Each and every pupil was a credit to themselves, to their schools and to cricket.
"Buckie Cricket Club wishes all three teams making the Moray finals all the best."
