Monday 13th May saw Cobham Avorians host the 2023 Coaching Centred Leadership Walking Cricket Cup finals day after the weather curtailed the end of the 2023 season – with Epsom retaining the trophy they won in 2022.
The Walking Cricket community grew in 2023 with 8 teams competing across the summer to make it to finals day and it was great to see new clubs Wimbledon and Old Woking joining Cobham and Epsom at finals day.
The semifinals saw Old Woking take on Wimbledon whilst Epsom took on Cobham for a place in the finals. There were some great skills on show across both pitches and Old Woking and Epsom came out on top to proceed to the afternoon final.
Walking Cricket provides a number of key benefits to its participants – improved physical health, mental health, and the opportunity to socialise with other people – so it was only right that we stopped for a BBQ lunch so the 40 or so players at the ground could spend some time socialising ahead of the final.
Epsom went into the final as favourites, batting first and setting Old Woking a challenging target of 118 to win the coveted trophy. In the second innings Old Woking built steadily and going into the last 4 overs of the game all results were still possible. As the game moved into the final over Old Woking required 14 runs in order to get their name added to the CCL Walking Cricket Cup. This became 10 off 5 before a boundary was struck leaving Old Woking needing 10 off 4. Was an upset on the cards? The Epsom captain had other ideas, clean bowling the Old Woking batter with the 3rd ball of the over, leaving 15 to win off 3 balls (batters lose 5 runs if getting dismissed). Was the game over? Well Old Woking President Martyn Cutmore had other ideas, striking a 6 off the penultimate ball, but ultimate Epsom came out victors winning by 9 runs to retain the trophy.
Martin Bull from lead sponsor Coaching Centred Leadership was on hand to say a few words about why they value Walking Cricket so much as an organisation and also presented the trophy to the winning captain from Epsom. As we move into 2024 there are now 12 clubs taking part in Walking Cricket across Surrey and the finals day (which will include all 12 clubs) will be taking place at Valley End CC on Thursday 5th September.
Assistant Director of Participation Simon Hards said, ‘It was great to see the 4 teams competing here today for the CCL Walking Cricket Cup and thanks must go to Cobham Avorians for expertly hosting us once again as well as Coaching Centred Leadership for their ongoing support. There was some great cricket on show but more importantly it is clear to see what Walking Cricket offers to all of the players who are participating. From physical and mental health benefits to providing more opportunities to socialise with other people, the impact of walking cricket is profound for its participants and we are excited to see more clubs coming online this season as well. We look forward to a great Summer ahead and another finals day in September.’
Click here to find out more about Walking Cricket, or express an interest in playing here.
