CRICKET: THE three-day Under-11 Minor Counties Cricket Festival held at the Royal Hospital School, near Ipswich saw Norfolk emerge as the team of the tournament.

THE three-day Under-11 Minor Counties Cricket Festival held at the Royal Hospital School, near Ipswich saw Norfolk emerge as the team of the tournament.

Each of the six participating counties played three matches in glorious sunshine. Seven of the nine fixtures played ended in victories, with four being concluded in 'nail-biting' finishes.

The event's founder, former Zimbabwe coach and Essex cricketer, Don Topley, said: "The cricket was extremely impressive, with attractive and positive cricket played and encouraged by all counties."

Topley, who is now the Marketing Manager at RHS, added: "One could easily see the improvement of these young cricketers over the course of the festival and the fun and friendships made by these talented lads was a pleasure to witness."

On each morning before their respective games, coaching and team bonding sports activities were completed and again in the evening. Former Essex and Suffolk wicket-keeper, Adrian Brown, also held an excellent wicket-keeping seminar.

Norfolk impressed many as the team for 2001 with three emphatic wins. Hosts Suffolk enjoyed a thrilling win over Herefordshire but lost to last year's high-flyers, Staffordshire, and drew with Pembrokeshire.

Results round-up

Day One: Staffordshire 183 Norfolk 184-1, Norfolk won by 9 wkts. Herefordshire 158 for 8 Bedfordshire 159 for 9, Bedfordshire won by 1 wkt. Suffolk 165 for 6 Pembrokeshire 111 for 4.

Match Drawn.

Day Two: Suffolk 223 for 4 Herefordshire 217, Suffolk won by 6 runs. Norfolk 221 for 6 Pembrokeshire 47, Norfolk won by 174 runs. Staffordshire 204 for 4 Bedfordshire 76 for 8, Match Drawn.

Day Three: Suffolk 138 for 8 Staffordshire 139 for 3, Staffordshire won by 7 wkts. Norfolk 215 for 7 Herefordshire 89, Norfolk won by 126 runs. Pembrokeshire 122 for 7 Bedfordshire 123 for 7, Bedfordshire won by 3 wkts.