They've taken their wickets - now it's time for wine at Abbotskerswell

CHEERS to a good idea aimed at getting more ladies playing cricket.

Clubs all over Devon are putting on Wine and Wickets softball sessions every Friday night during the first half of the season.

Devon Cricket, in partnership with the Devon Women’s Cricket Association, have devised Wine and Wickets as a flexible, fun introduction to the game.

It was first tried last year when six clubs took part.

Host clubs are committed to running ten one-hour softball sessions, followed by refreshments.Wine in full flow at Sidmouth

Participating clubs have received a £125 grant for the refreshments and will receive a further £125 after attending one of DCB’s informal softball cricket festivals this summer.

The festivals are on May 28 (Heathcoat), June 18 (Cornwood) and July 16 (Abbotskerswell). 

“Sessions are open to all, and no experience is needed to join in,” said Matt Cooke from DCB.

“Festivals are all about, having a great time with like-minded women, and using cricket as the vehicle to do this.”

Clubs taking part so far are Sidmouth, Seaton, Heathcoat, Bovey Tracey, Paignton, Ipplepen, Plympton, Abbotskerswell, Cornwood and Sandford.

Plympton’s second session is scheduled for this Sunday.

Another boost for women’s cricket in Devon are two coaching sessions next week at Ipplepen and Plympton, run by Rachel Priest of New Zealand and Amara Carr, who are both members of the Western Storm KSL side.

Here’s how to get in touch with a Wine and Wickets club near you

Plympton CC contact Warren Carr | Ipplepen CC contact Chris Partridge | Sidmouth CC contact Kate Warren 

Seaton CC contact Steve Pritchard | Bovey Tracey CC contact Sophie Whitlock | Heathcoat CC contact Kat Hampton

Paignton CC contact Nick Harman | Abbotskerswell CC contact Sara Dallyn | Cornwood CC contact Nick Goodliffe | Sandford CC contact Louise James

There was a superb turnout at Paignton for the first Wine and Wickets session