Acre aces claim a thrilling victory
Bhylls Acre held their nerve to claim the spoils in a dramatic finish to the Wolverhampton Junior Schools Kwik Cricket competition.
The annual festival took place in glorious weather at Wolverhampton’s Danescourt base with eight schools from across the borough – St Andrews, Wilkinson, Springvale, Loxdale, Villiers, Bhylls Acre, Bilston C of E and Fallings Park – competing for glory and places in the County Finals and the Black Country Games.
And it was Bhylls Acre who came out on top following a thrilling final with Springvale.
The eight-a-side format sees teams start on 200 with five runs taken away for every wicket they lose.
Bhylls Acre batted first and ended their eight with 247.
In reply, Springvale had reached 252 with one ball of their innings remaining but lost a wicket to the final delivery, resulting in the scores being tied.
A bowl-off was then required to determine the winners, with each member of both teams bowling one ball at the stumps.
The first 15 players missed but Bhylls Acre’s last player hit middle stump to secure victory.
Bhylls Acre now go forward to the County Finals at Cannock CC on June 27 while Springvale will represent the city at the Black Country Games on June 29.
Wolverhampton Cricket Development Group chairman John Priest declared the day a huge success.
“It was another very successful day,” said Priest. “I have been involved in this competition for 17 years and it seems to be getting better year after year.
“The youngsters really enjoy it and there are some talented players out there.
“Some of them play for clubs but there are some who don’t.
“We give out details of all the clubs in Wolverhampton and hopefully playing in this competition will encourage a few of them to join a club and start playing regularly.”
