LAST Thursday, May 19 at Builth Cricket Club, Cricket Wales and Powys 5x60 sports development officers hosted an new cricket initiative called Chance to Compete for the U13 age group.

The idea of Chance to Compete is to encourage high school children to actively take part in cricket, and so the format is shortened from a normal game with eight players per side. Every player bowls one over per game, and batters retire at 20 runs so everyone gets a chance to take part.

The response from the high schools in South Powys was very encouraging. Builth, Llandrindod, Brecon, Crickhowell, John Beddoes Presteigne and Gwernyfed high schools all sent teams, with 140 girls attending from 14 teams in total.

All teams played five games during the day, with some very good cricket skills on display. After the pool stages four semi finalists played off for a place in the final, with Llandrindod taking on Brecon in the final.

After being undefeated all day Brecon were the favourites to win. Llandrindod batted first scoring 60 runs in their 8 overs, Lara hall and Lowrie Davies both top scoring for Llandrindod. The pick of the Brecon bowlers was Nelse Rai who only conceded three runs from her over, with Nia Starkey and Meg Morris taking wickets for Brecon.

In reply for Brecon, the high scoring batters from earlier games Carys Bufton and Jade Newton-Perry failed to fire and the rest of the Brecon team also struggled with Llandrindod’s tight bowling.

Brecon could only score 49 from their 8 overs, and so Llandrindod caused a big upset beating Brecon. Gemma Halstead fielded particularly well taking two great catches and bowled her over for only two runs.

Wickets for Llandod were shared between Abbey Price, Shaheda Khathun, Lara Hall and Lowrie Davies. Llandrindod now will represent Powys at the South Wales finals on June 27 in Cardiff.

Cricket Officer Terry Dickinson said: "A massive thanks to Steve Powell and Builth CC for allowing Cricket Wales the use of the ground, Neath and Port Talbot College for supplying students to umpire and score, and to the 5x60 officers Jemma, Nicola, Elin, Jodie and Jonathan for running the day.

"The day was a great success, with Powys Sports Development officers and Cricket Wales now looking to set up a girls development hub in Powys."