PICTURES: Rhynie see off Gordon Primary, Largue and Kennethmont among 18 teams competing in Huntly Primary Schools Kwik Cricket Festival at Castle Park
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Huntly Primary Schools Kwik Cricket Festival returned to the sporting calendar after a two-year break due to the pandemic.
A total of 18 teams contested the tournament at Castle Park and it was holders Rhynie - the winners in 2019 - who retained their crown.
Ten participating primaries were represented on the day with all schools involved in the programme receiving four coaching sessions prior to the festival in preparation for the finals.
Huntly cricket coach Neil Nicol, who helped organise the event, said a total of almost160 pupils have benefited from the initiative this term.
"The programme itself has been running for 15 years now, and it's certainly one of the most popular events in the local primary Schools sporting calendar," he said.
He said it was a poignant day for Clatt as they played in their final school event before its closure last Friday.
After a damp start and a few school transport delays due to resurfacing roadworks on the A96 just outside Huntly, the festival kicked off after a 30 minute delay.
Four groups incorporating 18 teams fought out the early exchanges as the sun started to appear. Boundaries aplenty were the norm, with lots of fantastic bowling and fielding on show as the competition got into full swing.
Previous champions Rhynie 1 looked the team to beat again as they won group 2 in comprehensive fashion with three wins from three games played.
Gordon Primary 3 were other team to qualify from the group as they just nudged out stable mates Gordon Primary 2 to qualify for the knockout stages.
Largue, with a number of younger pupils within their squad were also on the march as they remained unbeaten with four straight wins to top group 4.
Strongly fancied Kennethmont 1 were the other qualifiers from the group after three wins.
Forgue, with a talented squad at their disposal, topped Group 3, and they were joined in the quarter-finals by Drumblade 1 who also were looking the part within the preliminary stages.
Gordon Primary 1 just pipped Glass for the top spot in Group 1, as they both moved forward into the last eight draw with some stellar displays.
With the last eight line up now in place, the teams which were knocked out continued to participate in the form of several friendly fixtures.
All the quarter-final matches were clear-cut affairs, as the victors in each tie won handsomely. Gordon Primary 1, Rhynie 1, Largue and Kennethmont 1 all reaching the penultimate stage.
With the prize of a place in the final for the remaining four teams, things were getting competitive as tactical awareness was becoming more apparent throughout both semi-finals played.
Rhynie 1 won their fifth game in a row as they defeated a valiant Largue side to reach the final. Kennethmont 1 were to be Rhynie 1 opponents as they beat Gordon Primary 1 with a bit to spare within a high class performance.
With all participants and a good amount of spectators now formed around the white oval adjacent to the Castle Park pavilion to watch, the setting was perfectly set for the grand final between two quality sides.
Rhynie 1 won the coin toss, and decided to field first. Kennethmont 1 found run scoring opportunities at a premium as the holders bowled with accuracy and vigour to restrict the first innings total to 216.
In reply Rhynie 1 showed nerves of steel as they accumulated the runs required within a display of top batting as they crossed the winning line by 30 runs to claim their second successive championship in a row.
Kennethmont 1 had played some fantastic cricket throughout the competition to finish runners-up.
Well done to all the boys and girls within the teams who played throughout the competition for your skill and effort.
Neil Nicol gave a special mention of thanks to retired meteorological specialist at RAF Lossiemouth, Sydney Hewett for his accurate weather forecast.
"The early morning rain had threatened to postpone the event, however the info provided by Syd was pivotal for the festival going ahead and in turn played in brilliant sunshine for the majority."
Knockout stage scores
Quarter-finals: Gordon Primary 1: 242 v Drumblade 1: 223
Glass: 217 v Rhynie 1: 250
Largue: 248 v Gordon Primary 3: 226
Kennethmont 1: 238 v Forgue: 199
Semi-finals
Rhynie 1: 249 v Largue: 225
Gordon Primary 1: 196 v Kennethmont 1: 230
Final
Kennethmont 1: 216 v Rhynie 1: 246
