Year 8 boys teams from throughout Otago and Southland enjoyed playing cricket on grass wickets this week.
Six teams gathered at Gore’s Hamilton Park to take part in a tournament hosted by a Southland Country Cricket sub-association.
Southland Cricket development officer Jack Hilton said while one team would score the most runs and get the most wickets, there would be no winner.
‘‘The main goal for us this week is to make sure we see some quality cricket played and all the boys . . . here have a great experience.
‘‘It’s as much about the whole experience of being away and playing a sport you love with your mates.’’
When he was growing up in the United Kingdom there was nothing like this for younger players, he said.
‘‘It’s one of the things I think’s awesome about cricket and probably all sport in New Zealand, is how many different opportunities there are for kids.’’
On Monday, the players played a 40-over game, and for the next two days played the T20 format of the game.
The grass wickets were prepared by groundsmen Alan and Barry Ritchie.
Southland Country Junior Cricket president Hamish Ottrey said he was very pleased with the standard of the playing surface.
‘‘The grounds are magnificent.’’
The sub-association was grateful for the support of the Mataura Licensing Trust and JJ’s Gore, Mr Ottrey said.
