Sunday 17th July 2022 – The Warren, the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in Hayes, Bromley
On Sunday the 17th of July the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey hosted the annual Mark Inter Provincial Cricket Tournament between Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex at The Warren, the Metropolitan Police Sports Club in Hayes, Bromley.
The yearly competition and family day brings together teams and supporters from the Mark Provinces of Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex, with each taking it in turns to host the day.
The day saw four entertaining matches. In the first, Middlesex batted first and set Sussex a target of 82 which Sussex overcame by reaching 83.
In the second match Surrey set Kent a target of 62. Surrey played well, but despite the best efforts of the team, they ( the Hosts ) came fourth.
Before the Sussex vs Kent final; Middlesex took on Surrey in the 3rd and 4th place play-off. Middlesex set Surrey a target of 84 and, in a closer game than the score belies, Surrey scored 69 in reply. Despite some mean bowling from Simon McCarthy.
In the final, for the Norman Todd Cup the Sussex XI batted first and set Kent a challenging target of 77. Kent replied with an admirable 79 meaning that they were the winners of the Norman Todd cup for 2022.
While the winners of the Champagne Moment and the player of the tournament were being decided….
R.W.Bro. Ian then presented the Trophy to Kent congratulating them on some entertaining cricket.
The Bill Balderston Memorial Trophy for the day’s ‘Champagne Moment’ went to Nelson Azul of Middlesex, whose daughter Priscilla made the two cakes that were auctioned.
Finally, the ‘Player of the Tournament’ was won by Ian Payton of Kent who hit 25 off 7 balls, including a monstrous 6 off his last ball.
Thanks must go to R.W.Bro. Ian Clark, Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of Surrey, and his team for organising a most enjoyable day.
