Woodbury Wildcards crowned Devon cricket champions

The team showed superb sportsmanship together with vast amounts of skill as they overcame their opponents in their three group matches and earned themselves a place in the final against Stoke Hill.

It is fair to say that both Mr Norton and Mr Preston will have a few more grey hairs as the final went down to the last ball. Stoke Hill had restricted Woodbury to quite a modest total with some very accurate bowling and looked on course for victory, but Woodbury had other ideas.

Equally good bowling and superb fielding from the whole team saw Stoke Hill still needing three runs from the last ball of the match. Woodbury held their nerve, denying Stoke Hill the runs they needed and in so doing were crowned Devon Champions.

“It is a brilliant achievement for the school and the children in the team,” said Mr Norton. “We initially played a qualifying round for East Devon schools but despite winning all of our games, we looked to have missed out on runs difference.

“I then received a call to ask if we would like to replace a team that had dropped out. We played brilliantly to reach the final and then some unbelievable fielding and bowling secured the victory.

“It was a very special occasion for everyone, particularly after missing out on so many events through the Covid period, and also a wonderful memory for the Year Six children finishing their time at Woodbury.”

The children were superb ambassadors for the school throughout the day and so huge congratulations to Wren, Eve, Max, Lucas, Nat, Ellis, Louis and their captain Jonah.

The school passed on a huge thank you to Mr Preston for running cricket club, which has allowed the children the opportunity to develop their skills. Huge thanks also to Mr Norton for organising the event and to those parents who supported the children both in the qualifying round and at the final.

Proud teachers and children (Image: Woodbury School)