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For the full story, click here.
For the full story, plus photos, click here.
For the full story, plus photos, click here. Switzerland, The inaugural David Barmes Memorial Match took place on the 4 May, with a Swiss Select XI playing the 2002 Swiss Champions Winterthur CC at the Bout Du Monde ground in Geneva. The Select XI won the toss and set about the Winterthur bowling. The Select XI won the toss and set about the Winterthur bowling. At the twenty over mark they had scored 120-2. For the full story, click here.
Scotland, Scotland registered a nail-biting 4 wicket victory over Durham
in front of a packed house at Chester-le-Street on their National League debut
on Spirit of Cricket Weekend. On an overcast and blustery day, Scotland Captain
Craig Wright won the toss and decided to bowl on a slowish pitch. James Brinkley
and Paul Hoffmann opened tidily and runs were hard to come by early on. Nicky
Peng and Michael Gough were beginning to open up when a smart return by MacRae
ran out Peng. Cyprus, The Cyprus Cricket Association had a very successful day, with
about 100 young people taking part in three competitions running simultaneously.
The age groups were age 6 to 8, 9 to 12, and under 16. The weather was hot and
sunny and the day was well attended by spectators. There was also a report and
interviews on the local radio and a full-page report in the local paper. £400
was raised, which will be split between the Cyprus Cricket Association &
the ‘Friends for Life’ charity appeal to build a Hospice in Limassol. For the full story, plus photos, click here.
Portugal, European Development Officer Adam Cole travelled to Portugal
to run a two-day introductory coaching course for twenty-five teachers from
eleven different schools. St Peter’s School hosted the course, and the
head teacher has already requested that cricket be added to the curriculum.
All the other teachers seemed equally keen. All participants were given videos
and coaching manuals to help with development. On the second day a class of
children took part in some coaching drills run by the Portuguese teachers.
The game played at Lisburn CC was able to be included in the N.I.Youth Games and as such attracted wide publicity and spectator interest. The organisers and sponsors were delighted to have a ‘European’ dimension enhancing an already prestigious multi-sport event.
A close match eventually won by the Northern Cricket Union whose captain Greg
Thompson will represent Ireland in ECC Tournaments later this summer. Details of further events and photos will be added as they come in - watch
this space! For a full list of this year's events, click here.
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Germany,
The weather was marvellous, and so was the atmosphere, for the German U15 trials
in Tegernsee, Bavaria. DCB U15 coach Keith Thompson was supported by coaches
Bob Whitelaw, Abdul Bhatti, Peter Stiff, Alex Boreham and Wolfgang Albert (DCB
youth coordinator), who organised the trials. On Sunday afternoon 13 boys out
of the 18 who were invited to Tegernsee were selected to represent the DCB at
the ECC tournament in St. Astiers in August.
Norway/Malta,
This weekend the Marsa oval played host to a festival of cricket and, despite
the usual ups and downs, the true spirit of the game won the day. The Norwegian
Cricket Board (NCB) came to Malta for a week’s training camp culminating
in two 50-over international matches. Also touring was the village team from
Kent, Tunbridge Wells Borderers C.C. (TWBCC). 
Slovakia,
Slovakia held its Spirit of Cricket Weekend event on 1 May in Hajske, Nitra
County. The weather was beautiful and almost 500 people turned out! A few weeks
ahead we had posters and invitations printed and sent them to a number of embassies
and companies that are likely to employ Commonwealth foreigners living in Slovakia,
although unfortunately the majority of countries have their embassies in the
Czech Republic or Austria rather than the Slovak Republic. 
Spain
(Madrid), The first Spirit of Cricket Weekend in Madrid was a great success,
and thanks go to all those involved in setting the event up, in particular the
Reverend Canon Raymond Hodson of St. George’s Church, Madrid, Jonathan
Woodward and Claire Sunderland (and her band, 6X).
Finland,
The Finnish Spirit of Cricket Weekend & season opener held on 3 May was
an earth-shattering success!! In bright sunshine on the island of Suomenlinna
the Finnish Cricket Association held the first ever ALL FINN Under-11, Under-14
and Senior tournaments.
Denmark,
The Danish Cricket Association and Kolding Cricket Club had put in a lot of hard work in preparation for what turned out to be the largest cricket day in Denmark ever. Let there be no doubt that it was a success with 160 children from 6 to 13 years playing on 8 different pitches with new cricket gear from the ECC. There was moisture in the air but when the whistle blew for the start the sun came out. Around 50 matches were played during the day and a lot of tired children went home with a cricket experience they won't forget.
Northern
Ireland, Five Regional centres in Northern Ireland hosted cricket coaching
for over 180 kids culminating in a match between the Northern and North Western
Cricket Union areas.