Pub cricket alive and kicking in the Stroud Valleys

PUB cricketers from all over the Stroud Valleys gathered on Monday, February 8, at the Crown Inn at Frampton Mansell to plan the season’s friendly duels with willow and leather.

Representing seven public houses, the cricket teams included ‘Up the Albert’ from the Prince Albert in Rodborough, ‘Stray Hounds’ from the Golden Fleece in Stroud, ‘The Tunnel Tigers’ from the Tunnel House at Coates, ‘Super Crown CC’ from the Crown Inn at Frampton Mansell, and teams from the Ram Inn at Woodchester, the Daneway Inn at Sapperton, the Black Horse at Cranham, the Lamb Inn at Eastcombe and the Butchers Arms at Oakridge.

"Pub cricket differs from so ‘real’ cricket in that the LBW rule is discarded for being too contentious! All fielders, except the wicket keeper must bowl two overs and batsmen retire at 25. These simple rules unsure that the cricket action is shared throughout the team and guarantees that everybody gets involved. To keep the social flavour going, both teams retire to the host pub where the landlord/lady provides a nutritious meal to the hungry players" said Jag Patel, Captain of ‘Up The Albert cc’.

This mid-week, informal league, now in its twelfth year, is played on cricket grounds with some of the most beautiful views in in the Stroud Valleys.

Notable, are the cricket grounds at Cranham and Miserden.

Miserden cricket ground is also home to the Eights music and cricket festival.

This year, pub teams from Bristol, Stroud, Bath, Swindon and Pembrokeshire will be battling it out over three days on July 8, 9 and 10, for the Eights trophy.

Live Music will keep the cricketers entertained throughout the weekend of fun.

More on the Eights event and pub cricket can be found on ‘The Eights’ Facebook page.