Saturday 16 July 2016 saw the annual inter-Provincial Mark Cricket Festival and Family Day Out. This year, it took place, by kind permission of Lady Kingsdown, at Torry Hill cricket ground in Frinstead.
This year, it was a straight two way contest between Kent and Sussex. After a warm up match in the morning, supporters settled down in the blazing sunshine to watch the battle to be crowned as champions for the ensuing year.
Sussex opened and scored 135 for 4 off their 20 overs. This left Kent with much to do and, in the end, that task proved to be just that little bit too much. Kent finished their 20 over innings on 108 for 5 with the Kent batsmen giving it their all in the last two overs but Sussex held a tight field and the bowlers gave the Kent batsmen little opportunity to close the gap. Desperate situations require desperate measures and some of the pictures show the consequences of engaging in a necessary, last ditch attempt to make runs!
As we are all aware, out late, much loved and lamented friend, VW Bro Bill Balderstone loved his cricket and was much involved in the Kent cricket scene. It is, therefore, fitting that the trophy for the âChampagneâ or, more appropriately, âBells Whiskyâ moment of the tournament should be named after VW Bro Bill. This year, the honour went to Simon Clare of the Kent team with âman of the matchâ being awarded to Henning Van Wyk of Sussex.
We all look forward to next yearâs Cricket Festival and Family Day Out, when it is hoped there will be a four way contest to stretch the talents of each Province and give the audience and even better spectacle than this year!
Photos by Bob Tuthill and Chris Eley