'Bowers' is switching to under-nines

10:10pm Wednesday 22nd October 2008

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The Gordon Bowers Trophy cricket competition will be an under-nines tournament from 2009.

Since it was founded 26 years ago, it has been an under-12 event but with the wealth of cricket in the mid-range of age groups, it is felt that the event would be more beneficial if it is aimed at a younger age group.

Tom Priestley, the driving force behind the ‘Gordon Bowers’, says: “The original objective when we started the competition was that it should be an introduction to cricket but now that under-11s, under-13s and under-14s cricket etc is so well established, we feel the time is right to go for a younger age group so we can get back to that original objective.

“We will welcome clubs from any leagues from any geographical location as we intend to run the competition on a regional basis next season.”

Priestley added: “We have had a couple of years when we have had over 50 clubs entered but clubs have fallen away not so much because of a lack of players but because of a lack of team managers.

“Now we are down to about 32 clubs but we want the Bowers to feature ‘proper cricket’ and are currently drawing up rules and regulations in time for our next meeting on November 3.

“We are looking to use a skills ball for our matches but the length of the wicket has yet to be determined.”

Interested clubs should contact Tom on 01274-872942.