Warwickshire Access ended their season on a winning note after competing in the national disability league for the first time.
The team – which includes players with learning and physical disabilities – stepped up to the D40 Pursuit Midlands & North league in 2024 for a first taste of hardball cricket.
They took on Cheshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire in the five-team league and claimed their first ever hardball win against Shropshire.
Rob Eynon, Warwickshire’s Disability Cricket Officer, said it was a challenging debut at national level but that the side fought well against tough opposition.
“It was probably tougher than the players expected,” he said, “but it’s been a good introduction to hardball cricket and they now know what it takes to succeed at this level.
“The players stuck to their task and didn’t let their heads drop. They will have learnt a lot about themselves and their game as they look towards their second season in D40.
“We ended on a high (15 Sept) in our annual end-of-season friendly against a mixed Blossomfield CC side which the team won by six wickets with 12 overs of the 40 to spare.
“It was a great result and testament to how the group has developed and reward for all the hard work they’ve put in.”
Warwickshire finished fifth in the D40 Pursuit league but Dean Wattison, who captained the side against Blossomfield, was happy with how the side acquitted themselves.
He said: “It was a difficult season but we got our first win and suffered two narrow defeats. It shows we’re competing and hopefully we can push for more wins next season.”
Warwickshire Cricket Foundation offers disability cricket opportunities from beginner to Pursuit D40 level.
For those new to cricket, we run Super 1s hubs in Edgbaston, Coventry, Castle Bromwich, Stratford-upon-Avon and Knowle, with plans for another to open in Leamington Spa next year.
“Disability cricket is expanding all the time,” added Rob, “and there have never been more opportunities for people with physical or learning disabilities to get involved with the sport.
“We also run Super 1s hubs across the region for children and young people (ages 12-25) to get involved in disability cricket.
“Our aim is to make cricket as accessible as possible to everyone and demonstrate that having a disability is no barrier to taking part in the sport.”
To find out more and get involved: Accessibility – Warwickshire Cricket Foundation