Bovey Tracey
Cricket Club (Pictured Below) was yet again the host for the annual Disability Cricket festival
amongst nine SEN Schools from around the county. The competition itself was
split into two sections with South Dartmoor Community College, Newton Abbott
College, Ratcliffe School, Combe Pafford, Barley Lane and Southbrook all
competing for the Charles Hackett Trophy. The previous winners have been former
Devon CCC captain Chris Bradleys’ school Ratcliffe who have had their name on
the trophy for the past two years sharing the trophy in 2014 with Barley Lane
School. A second competition was running
al
ongside the trophy competition with Bidwell Brook, Oaklands, and Mayfield
School all of which have prowesss on the Table Cricket circuit in the past,
however the day was a great opportunity for them to get out on the field playing
some matches and cricket challenges.
With temperatures
soaring in the sun drenched premier league club ground games commenced promptly
at 10.30. The standard of batting and bowling being particularly high in
comparison to previous years within the trophy competition, this was going to
mean the competition was very evenly matched. With the early running being made
by Ratcliffe, Combe Pafford, and South Dartmoor all of whom won there first
round of matches. Two games before lunch followed by two more after seemed to
be a format which worked well, and helped the young cricketers rehydrate in the
exhausting mid day sunshine. After lunch Combe Pafford seemed to be marching
ahead, however after beating Barley Lane School in the first round of matches of
the day, it came down to those two sides once again in the Grand Final for the
trophy. This time however the tables turned and Barley Lane School learnt
lessons from earlier in the day bowling very straight and holding onto numerous
catches throughout the Combe Pafford innings. This meant that Barley Lane by
batting sensibly would come away with their name on the cup. This indeed was
the case and it was great to see how a side can develop over the course of the
day. 
It wasn’t just a
day for the disability schools to learn and play cricket but a great opportunity
for 14 Cricket Activators from Newton Abbott College to officiate and score all
the matches within the trophy competition. The Activators showed great
communication skills and also showcase their skills of working with people.
They were a credit to themselves and Newton Abbot College, so great thanks goes
out to them. (Pictured Right)
Teachers,
assistants, and other education specialists all got their hands dirty and
helped with the running of 
the day, in particular in the cricket challenges
where the staff all got involved to add to the enjoyment of the day. The day
wouldn’t have happened without one very special thank you to Fran Fox the
Ratcliffe School PE Teacher and SEN Sports coordinator for arranging the day
itself, a truly fantastic amount of work was put in by Fran to make the day
happen.
DCL Chairman Stuart Munday (Pictured Left) who was in attendance on behalf of the David Shepherd Cricket Trust conducted closing ceremony and prize giving. The trust that had kindly supported the day with Kwik Cricket sets for each of the schools that attended. Hopefully cricket can start to be a regular feature in the school day throughout the summer term with the support of this equipment going to them.