Bears Roadshow enjoyed another successful outing as hundreds of people flocked to Sutton Coldfield for an evening of cricket and community fun.
A strong Bears side – including Club captain Will Rhodes, Jake Lintott and Rob Yates – took on a Best of Warwickshire League XI in a T20 clash at the Rectory Park ground on Tuesday (1 Aug).
They came out on top by 66 runs after Ed Barnard (89 off 42 balls) and Hamza Shaikh (50 off 26) powered the Bears set a target of 230.
Solihull Blossomfield CC all-rounder Chris Kenny scored a half century in just 14 balls but the hosts’ chase fell short on 164/7.
But there was also plenty of off-field fun as the event started with an under-10s softball competition before Bears players spent time coaching youngsters, signing autographs and posing for photographs.
Sutton Coldfield CC Chair Nick Baker said: “It was a great occasion and a fantastic advert for cricket. The players joined our softball game and spent time coaching the youngsters, taking selfies with fans and signing autographs.
“There was a big crowd, several hundred people, and a lovely atmosphere. Everyone I spoke to had a great time and it would be brilliant to see the Bears back at our club again in the near future.”
There was a welcome sight for Bears fans as Liam Norwell opened the bowling as he continues his recovery from a back injury.
Norwell took the first wicket while 17-year-old Theo Wylie – who’s signed a rookie contract with Warwickshire for Metro Bank One Day Cup – took 2/15 and fellow newcomer Michael Booth also claimed a wicket.
Bears First Team Coach Mark Robinson, said: “We want to maintain strong links with our local sides, inspiring future generations of cricketers, so taking the Club out into the community with events like this are really important.”
