Moray kids' cricket festival comes bouncing back
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THERE was a welcome return to the crease for primary kids across the region when the Moray Primary Schools Cricket Festival was held.
Fochabers once again were the hosts for the event, which had been forced into a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.
The finals were the culmination of an overall programme in Moray incorporating four area festivals before a final 12 schools faced off at the regional finals at Fochabers.
Representing the Buckie area were the area kwik cricket champions Millbank, joined by Findochty and St Peter's.
Millbank and Findochty found themselves in a round-robin group with Anderson's, Greenwards, Mortlach and West End, while over in group 2 St Peter's were up against Applegrove, Alves, Bishopmill, Mosstodloch and St Gerardine.
It was not to be for the local trio, with Millbank recording a fourth place finish while Findochty were sixth, St Peter's coming in fifth spot in group 2.
Group winners St Gerardine and Mortlach squared off in the final, with the Lossie side eventually triumphing over their Keith opponents by a score of 245 to 210.
One of those delighted to see the return of the tournament was Moray Community Cricket Coach Neil Nicol.
He said: “It was heartening to see such enthusiasm and skill from all schools within the overall programme, in which was one of the first main sporting events to be held in the Moray primary schools since the pandemic.
"Many thanks to all schools who competed, and also particular gratitude to Active Schools and school staff for their support throughout. The overall skill potential of girls and boys within the overall programme was vast, and in turn it’s hoped that all local cricket clubs see the benefits of new junior players off the back of it.”
Some 32 schools within Moray participated in the overall programme which included school curricular time based coaching sessions in the lead up to the local festivals in partnership with the Moray Cricket Association and Moray Active Schools.
