ALL the 12 teams which participated in the two-day Falcon College Junior Schools Cricket Festival which concluded on Saturday were as good as outright winners after rain disrupted proceedings on Friday.

Only one round of fixtures was possible in the 10-overs a-side competition on Friday before heavy rains pounded Esigodini, causing the abandonment of the rest of the matches that had been lined up on the opening day as the playing fields were left waterlogged.

With slim hopes of action on Saturday, the competing schools then requested organisers of the event to tweak the fixtures in order for them to play against teams they would not normally play during the season. Ruzawi, Petra, Hartmann House, Springvale, Whitestone, Lilfordia, Barwick, Murray McDougal, Bryden, Saint John’s Preparatory School, Carmel and Victoria Falls Primary were the participants at this year’s fiesta.

With the rain, which has pounded the whole country since the end of last year sparing Esigodini on Saturday, save for a slight drizzle, all the matches that were lined up on the last day went ahead smoothly.

Ruzawi fielders celebrate a wicket against Whitestone during a Falcon College Junior Schools Cricket Festival match in Esigodini on Saturday. 

Ruzawi, who headed to Esigodini into the festival as defending champions, were impressive with victory achieved in all the four matches they played on Saturday. It was also the same for Hartmann House and St John’s Prep.

Despite the outstanding display from the youngsters who demonstrate lots of enthusiasm on and off the field of play, the tournament trophy will remain at Falcon College until next year’s festival.

Falcon College headmaster Reginald Querl commended the parents who came out to support their children. He also thanked the sponsors, Dairibord, Fazak and Introwise for their continued assistance in making sure the annual event is a success.

National team coach, Heath Streak, whose son Harry, an all rounder turned out for his school Petra said he was amazed by the amount of talent on display over the two days. Streak, a former national team captain believes the future of the game is in safe hands as long as the talent is properly looked after by Zimbabwe Cricket.

The Falcon College Primary Schools Cricket Festival was started in 2005. It was the brainchild of the headmaster, Querl with the idea to introduce primary school children to life at Falcon College through a weekend of competitive sport and involvement in other College activities such as sleeping in dormitories, eating in the dining hall and interacting with Falcon pupils.

Over the years, Ruzawi School has dominated, winning every time except once when they were bettered by St John’s Prep School. 

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