Somerset Cricket Board held the county finals of the Lord’s Taverners Table Cricket competition at the Cooper Associates County Ground this week.

An action-packed day saw teams from Holyrood Academy and Selworthy School joined by Critchill School, who had won an earlier tournament which also involved The Mendip School and Threeways School.

After some exciting matches, Holyrood Academy came out on top.

During the day Max Waller, Tim Rouse and Ollie Sale joined the players and were taught the rules before having a go themselves!

After Holyrood lifted the trophy Somerset Cricket Board’s Growth and Participation Officer, Steve Gass said: “Today, and indeed the initiative as a whole, has gone really well. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback which is great.

“The overall scheme has been about getting table cricket in to schools and it is certainly something that we are looking to grow.

“As a Cricket Board we want to make as many types and formats of the game available to as many people as possible. It’s all about making the game as accessible as possible and table cricket is a great way of doing that.

“Young people with a disability are often less likely to participate in, or have access to sport of any kind. Table cricket provides the opportunity to play a competitive game of cricket with the emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship.”

Table cricket was developed in 1990 by Doug Williamson at Nottingham Trent University with the assistance of the Youth Sports Trust.

It stemmed from a desire to create a sporting opportunity for young people who could not take part in the traditional Paralympic sports, particularly those with more severe physical impairments.

The game is played on a table tennis table with side panels and sliding fielders placed around the table to create the pitch. A small ball and ramp are used to bowl, and a wooden bat enables players to score runs.

For young people with a disability, Table Cricket presents a great many social and developmental benefits, and helps players improve valuable skills whilst having fun and competing in a team.

For a comprehensive guide to table cricket please click here