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Seven teams took part in the annual Italian Cricket Federaition (FCrI) 8-a-side tournament which was played at the Ponte Verde ground in Rome on the 29th and 30th September.

 

The seven competitors Bologna, Capannelle, Euratom, Gallicano, Howzat, Maremma and Lux played a 2 group round robin and the top two teams from each group then played semi finals.

 

This saw Capanelle (97) beat Euratom (72) to take their place in the final against Lux who made 74 to beat Bologna’s 72 in the other semi. Capanelle then went on to beat Lux by 18 runs and take the FCrI U13 title.

 

ICC Europe Coach Richard O'Sullivan who helped to run the competition, put both his umpiring and coaching skills to good use throughout the weekend and he was assisted by Peter Petricola, an Australian qualifying to play for Italy through 100 day residency. Petricola is also running a number of FCrI teachers’ courses this winter.

 

O’Sullivan commented on the tournament, saying, “The under 13 age group in Italy is improving year on year and Ponte Verde has provided a good ground to host this tournament.”

 

O’Sullivan also took time out during the weekend to speak with and James Cheyne

the Italian Academy Director and other FCrI representatives to discuss and plan the future of cricket development in Italy.

 

“The coming together of all of the FCrI cricket gives me a great opportunity to assist in planning and development discussions” said O’Sullivan.

 

He also noted “It is clear that one area that Italy must look into if they are to improve on the global scale is youth development and bringing Kwik Cricket into schools to make a sustainable club-school system

 

 “This can be achieved by helping and encouraging the best clubs to play and develop the younger talented players rather than focusing solely in winning titles.”