All the players from all the teams really seemed to enjoy the two days of matches though many of them found it very tiring. There was some really good cricket, spectacular catches, good shots and some very accurate bowling from all teams.

Our sincere thanks to all the parents who supported both Leeds and Broomfield Junior's A and B teams. They players really did themselves, the club and their families proud.

The two days were really close with some interesting results making the position really close for second place.

Marden were good winners of the group having played 10 matches, winning all of them scoring just over 400 runs and losing 19 wickets.

Very well done to the Marden players and "good luck" in the finals at Gore Court.

Second place was very difficult to work out and eventually it involved going back to the first week's results. After computers had computed, wheels had wheeled around and some difficult sums had been resolved using huge spreadsheets and a pencil, second place finally went to Headcorn Hawks.

LBJ "A" finished a very creditable third and as it as at this moment, 6pm 2nd July, we are waiting on confirmation from the organisers as to whether they've qualified for the finals or not.

Here are some photos from the events, courtesy of Rowan Connell.  We're grateful to him for allowing us their use.

Alan Hopkins

News of two courses being run by the Maidstone Cricket Academy in the early autumn has reached us.

The first is a 6-week course, designed for Primary Schoolboys and girls in years 2-6, when the term starts in September 2009. Each course runs for 6 weeks. Sessions will be of 90minutes each, starting at 6.30pm and ending at 8.00pm, at Maplesden Noakes School, BucklandHill, Maidstone. All coaching is under the supervision of qualified ECB Coaches. These courses are an introduction to playing junior hardball cricket and selection for trials to District and County Squads for boys and girls.

Full details are available for download from here.

The second is a taster course for girls only.  It starts when the new term starts in September 2009. The course runs for 6 weeks from Wednesday 16th September 2009.   Again, sessions will be of 90 minutes each, starting at 6.30pm and ending at 8.00pm, at Maplesden Noakes School, BucklandHill, Maidstone. All coaching is under the supervision of qualified ECB Coaches.

Full details are available for download from here.

(If you book a course or talk to the organisers, it would help if you mentioned you saw it on this site)

On a hot and sunny day LBJ Under 11s took on the might of North Kent Junior Cricket in the Bexley tournament and a good day was had by all as the team reached the semi-finals.

The day began with the first group match against Bexley Greens who were an Under 9 team. LBJ batted first and made an impressive 63 for 2 off 8 overs with captain Paul Morgan carrying his bat through the innings and with excellent support from Rylie Turner.

When Bexley replied Adam Chappell-Tay took 3 wickets in the first over and with a run out added in, the rug was well and truly pulled from under our opponents feet, really before they'd begun. They eventually managed 25 for 5 to give LBJ victory by 38 runs.

In match 2 against OD Cuaco, who batted first but could make only 50 for 3 thanks to a fine fielding display from LBJ. In reply LBJ lost two early wickets and it began to look as if they would not make the runs, but Annys Fearon played a magnificant innings, ably supported by Samuel Avis and together they steered us to an 8 wicket victory.

LBJ qualfied for the quarter finals as group winners and played Belvedere. LBJ batted first and after losing early wickets once again the innings was stabalised by Rylie Turner and Luke Lordon who masterminded a fine recovery to record a total of 60.

In reply Belvedere scored quite freely but lost wickets regularly with the highlights being brilliant catches by Paul Morgan and Zoe Moyler. It did look as if Belvedere would end LBJ's participation in the event when they levelled the scores with one ball remaining. Under the competition rules a team bowled out forfeit 15 runs and so LBJ ad to take the last wicket off the last ball to effect this rule. Adam Chappell-Tay ran in to bowl the last ball ... he found the outside edge of the bat and Tom Lennard, who had kept wicket superbly all day, took the catch to reduce Belvedere to 45 for 8 and send LBJ through to the semi-finals.

After a long day in the hot sun the semi-final against a strong Sidcup side proved a bridge too far. Sidcup batted first and against a tired bowling attack rattled up 73 for 2, although Zoe Moyler once again took a fine catch. In reply LBJ were always behind the asking rate and never really in the hunt, but avoided getting bowled out and finished on 42 for 7 and able to bow out with heads held high.

On reflection it was a super day and I would personally like to pay tribute to all 9 players whose behaviour was impeccable and were proud standard bearers for Leeds and Broomfield Cricket Club. I would also like to thank the parents who stayed very patient throughout what was at times a frustrating day due to a three hour hiatus between the group stages and the quarter final.

The team for the day was:-

• Paul Morgan
• Tom Lennard
• Sam Smith
• Annys Fearon
• Luke Lordon
• Rylie Turner
• Samuel Avis
• Zoe Moyler
• Adam Chappell-Tay

Nigel Morgan

There'll be a report later on about the Super 8s Kwik Cricket Tournament at Burberry Lane on 14th June, in which LBJ had entered two teams, but for the time being enjoy the following slideshow.

Photos are courtesy of Rowan Connell and we're grateful to him for allowing us their use.

On 26th May, the Club was privileged to welcome England Test and ODI player Lydia Greenway in her role as a 'Chance to shine' ambassador to a girls only Festival event at Burberry Lane.

The really special thing about the day was that Lydia, as you can see, brought with her the ICC Women's World Cup Trophy that had been won by England in Australia in March 2009.

At the end of the coaching sessions and matches that were arranged for the day, all the young players took the opportunity to be photographed with Lydia and the Cup.

We're grateful to Lydia, to 'Chance to shine', the coaches and to the young players and their parents who made the day such a resounding success.

You can see a selection of the photographs that were taken on 26th by following this link.