The much-anticipated Billington Cricket Tournament 2024, kicked off with a perfect blend of excitement, and competitive spirit. Held on Friday, August 23rd, at the scenic Tickhill Cricket Club in Doncaster, the event aimed to raise funds for the Group’s Charity of the Year, Cancer Research UK. In total, the event raised £500 which will be donated on behalf of the Billington Charity Foundation.
Employees from various departments and group companies came together for the day, not only to raise money for a good cause but also to form stronger connections across the group as well as show off their cricket skills. To make the day even better we were given blue skies and lots of sun which lifted spirits even further throughout the day.
Four spirited teams took to the field: the Billington Bashers, the Billington Boomers, the Shafton Sloggers, and the Tubecon Tonkers.
The stage was set for a lively series of six matches, each with five overs per side. With an energy-filled atmosphere, employees, friends, and families gathered to support their teams, creating a lively backdrop of cheers, laughter, and applause. Every team stepped onto the field with one goal in mind: to take home the coveted trophy and, of course, the all-important bragging rights.
The first match of the day saw the Tonkers lose their match against the Bashers by a significant margin (85 runs to 42 runs). After that bashing, they headed straight to the batting cages for some much-needed practice, showing slight improvement in their game against the Boomers and the Sloggers.
While the first two teams were on the field and the rest of the players watched from the sidelines. The Sloggers were seen stretching and warming up, to ensure they were ready for their match.
The highlight of the day was the gripping match between the Boomers and the Bashers – the closest match of the tournament. The Bashers, true to their name, powered through to claim victory, securing the day’s trophy.
From spectacular catches to powerful boundaries, with a few lost balls along the way, the matches were filled with moments of high drama and celebration with the Tubecon Tonkers finishing in fourth, the Shafton Sloggers taking third, the Billington Boomers in second and the champions of the day: the Billington Bashers.
James Waller, captain of the winning Bashers, commented, “The day was absolutely fantastic, and I want to take my hat off to everyone who attended. There was a vast range of cricketing skills on display, and it was clear that it didn’t deter anyone’s enthusiasm. It was great to see how much effort everyone put in and how much fun was had by all. At one point, I half expected the defibrillator to be called onto the pitch!
It was a refreshing change to see everyone in a different light, outside of the usual work routine. Most importantly, it was all for a wonderful cause. Fingers crossed that next year will be even bigger and better. Thank you again!
Finally, a massive thank you to my team. Every single one of you was brilliant, and it was a true team effort. I can’t thank you enough, lifting the trophy was never in doubt. To all the other teams, better luck next year…”
The day was a hit, with players and spectators alike eager for next year’s tournament.
