Boys’ U11 Eight8 Cricket Competition 2025

Welcome to the Boys’ U11 Eight8 Cricket Competition for the AJ Murtagh Trophy. We hope that you have an enjoyable day, watching some exciting cricket and that you will stay for the finals and prize-giving ceremony at around 5pm. Should you have any questions about Malvern College or cricket specifically, please do ask Noel Brett (Master i/c Cricket), who is running today’s competition.

A word from our Master i/c Cricket, Noel Brett

A warm welcome to players, officials, and spectators at today’s Eight8 Cricket Competition. With fast-paced eight-over matches, the Eight8 game promises excitement for all. The tournament is divided into two leagues, leading to semi-finals and a final, where four teams will compete for the AJ Murtagh Trophy.

Cricket is vital to Malvern College's sporting culture; sharing it with you today is fantastic.

We have a strong connection with Worcester County Cricket Club, and many Old Malvernians have enjoyed successful careers, including rising stars Rehaan Edavalath and Olly Cox, as well as current pupil J. T. Langridge (SH), who has played for England U19 in 2024.

Noel Brett, Master i/c Cricket

Our partnership with WCCC also supports the Worcestershire Cricket Scholarship, awarded at 13+. This prestigious award includes mentoring and coaching. The first recipient was Old Malvernian and professional cricketer Tom Kohler-Cadmore, now with Yorkshire and Somerset. We also offer the 13+ Chesterton Scholarship and the 13+ Rachael Heyhoe Flint Cricket Scholarship.

While sports are essential, we acknowledge that young people’s attitudes toward sports can evolve. We regularly review Scholars’ progress to assist in their development. Our expectations for conduct, leadership, and sportsmanship are high qualities that will benefit them in life.

Enjoy your day with us, and feel free to ask any questions.

Order of Play

Group A

  • Blue Coat A
  • The Elms School
  • Hallfield
  • Moor Park
  • Packwood Haugh
 Group B

  • Blue Coat B
  • The Downs Malvern (TDM)
  • Prestfelde
  • West House
  • Winterfold
 

Group A

Pitch 1
(Junior North)		 Pitch 2
(Junior South)
Round 1
10.00 – 11.00		 The Elms vs Moor Park Blue Coat A vs Packwood
Round 2
11.00 – 12.00		 The Elms vs Hallfield Moor Park vs Packwood
Round 3
12.00 – 13.00		 Blue Coat A vs The Elms Hallfield vs Moor Park
Players Lunch – 13:00 – 13:45
Round 4*
13.45 – 14.45		 The Elms vs Packwood Blue Coat A vs Hallfield
Round 5
14.45 – 15.45		 Blue Coat A vs Moor Park Hallfield vs Packwood

Group B

Pitch 1
(Senior North)		 Pitch 2
(Senior South)
Round 1
10.00 – 11.00		 Prestfelde vs West House TDM vs Winterfold
Round 2
11.00 – 12.00		 West House vs Winterfold Blue Coat B vs TDM
Round 3
12.00 – 13.00		 Blue Coat B vs Winterfold TDM vs Prestfelde
Players Lunch – 13:00 – 13:45
Round 4*
13.45 – 14.45		 Blue Coat B vs Prestfelde TDM vs West House
Round 5
14.45 – 15.45		 Prestfelde vs Winterfold Blue Coat B vs West House

*Complimentary Prosecco and Strawberries will be served to spectators at approx. 2pm from The Grub

Final Play Offs

Pitch 1
(Senior North)		 Pitch 2
(Senior South)
16.00 – 17.00 Winner Group A vs Winner Group B 3rd Group A vs 3rd Group B
Presentations – 17.00 – 17.15

Rules

General Information
  • There are 10 sides taking part in the competition.
  • Following a draw, the teams will be placed in two groups. This will be displayed in the programme for the day.
  • In the group stages, all teams will play four matches with the winners of each match being awarded two points.
Main Competition
  • The winner of group A will play the winner of group B for the trophy (as per the schedule in the programme).
  • If two teams head the group at the end of the round-robin stage, then the team that won the group match between the two sides will progress as group winners.
  • In the unlikely event of more than two sides being equal on points at the top of the group, then the team taking the most wickets in their four games will be the winner.
  • If this does not produce a winner then the team who has scored the most runs in their four games will go through.
Plate Competition
  • The 3rd placed team in each group will progress to the plate final.
Playing Rules
  • Each school should have a maximum of 11 players in their squad.
  • Teams for each match will consist of eight players.
  • Each match will consist of one innings per team.
  • Each innings will consist of eight six ball overs.
  • No bowler will bowl more than two overs (i.e. a minimum of four bowlers to be used).
  • There will be no fielding restrictions.
  • Pitches will be a standard length according to the age group with a minimum boundary of 35 yards.
  • Both teams should be very aware of the importance of completing the matches within the one hour allocated.
  • As a guideline, at the fall of each wicket, the next batsman has a minute to reach the crease and take guard.
  • There will be five minutes between innings.
  • Teams cannot substitute fielders once the match has started unless the umpires agree that a player is unable to continue through injury; however, any substitute that is used cannot bowl or keep wicket.
  • The wicketkeeper must remain in that position throughout the innings unless the umpires agree that injury has prevented him from continuing.
  • A no-ball will result in a two-run penalty but there will be no extra delivery (except in the last over).
  • A wide will result in a two-run penalty but there will be no extra delivery (except in the last over); umpires will be strict and consistent in their interpretation of the law to prevent negative bowling wide of the stumps.
  • All matches will be played with the ball provided.
  • All batsmen and wicketkeepers will wear the correct protective equipment including a helmet.
  • A batsman must retire at 30. If all other wickets have fallen then the retired batsman can return in the order they batted.
  • If the scores are tied at the end of the match, then the winner will be the team:
    • losing the fewest wickets
    • with the most runs after four overs, then three, two, one until a winner is identified.

Facilities

Spectators are asked to use the toilet located in The Grub only.
Players and staff attending, please use those located in the Changing Room and the Pavilion*.

Spectators may purchase fresh tea, coffee, cakes, cold drinks, and grab-and-go snacks at The Grub between 10 am to 2 pm.

*Pavilion facilities are solely for sports staff and competing teams.

Did you know?

Cricket has been played at Malvern College since 1872, with the laying of the Senior Turf. The setting, all will agree is spectacular. To the east there is Bredon Hill, the Severn Valley and the Cotswolds; to the west is the backdrop of the Malvern Hills.

A curiosity is that the outfield is a little narrower than would officially allow the scoring of sixes and despite being widened in 1978, the quirky tradition of not allowing sixes persists to this day!

Cricketers in white uniforms play on a lush green field surrounded by trees, with a scenic backdrop of gently rolling hills and a few buildings, including a large red-brick structure that stands as a testament to our heritage. The sky is bright blue with scattered clouds.
Open Days
Malvern Role Models
Sport