Eight8 Cricket Festival 2026

A warm welcome to players, officials, and spectators at today’s Eight8 Cricket Festival. This year's edition brings together what were once separate events into a new format, with both boys’ and girls’ teams competing on the same day. Featuring quick, eight-over matches, the Eight8 game guarantees excitement for everyone. The boys’ teams will vie for the AJ Murtagh Trophy, while the girls’ teams will contend for the Roger Tolchard Trophy.

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

Cricket has been played at Malvern since 1872, and whilst the rules of the game have evolved over the centuries, one thing endures – the passion for the game, whatever the season. During the winter months, practice takes place indoors in our sports hall, and when the weather improves, it moves outdoors to the cricket nets. That quintessentially English sound of willow-on-ball signals the beginning of spring and a new cricket season.

Girls’ cricket at Malvern is thriving. Our girls are certainly inspired by the women’s professional game and by the College’s association with Worcestershire Country Cricket Club (WCCC).

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.

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

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

Boys’ U11
AJ Murtagh Trophy

  • The Elms School
  • The Downs Malvern
  • Moor Park
  • Pinewood
  • Prestfelde
 Girls’ U12
Roger Tolchard Trophy

  • Colwall CC
  • The Downs Malvern (TDM)
  • Moor Park
  • Pinewood
  • Prestfelde
 

Boys’ U11 Matches (NORTH SIDE) 

Pitch 1
(Junior North)		 Pitch 2
(Senior North)		 Bye
Round 1
10.00 – 11.00		 The Elms vs Moor Park Prestfelde vs Pinewood TDM
Round 2
11.00 – 12.00		 The Elms vs Pinewood Moor Park vs TDM Prestfelde
Round 3
12.00 – 13.00		 The Elms vs TDM Prestfelde vs Moor Park Pinewood
PLAYERS ONLY LUNCH – 13:00 – 13:45
Round 4*
13.45 – 14.45		 The Elms vs Prestfelde Pinewood vs TDM Moor Park
Round 5
14.45 – 15.45		 Prestfelde vs TDM Pinewood vs Moor Park The Elms

Girls’ U12 Matches (SOUTH SIDE) 

Pitch 1
(Junior South)		 Pitch 2
(Senior South)		 Bye
Round 1
10.00 – 11.00		 Pinewood vs Moor Park Prestfelde vs TDM Colwall CC
Round 2
11.00 – 12.00		 Colwall CC vs Moor Park Pinewood vs Prestfelde TDM
Round 3
12.00 – 13.00		 Colwall CC vs TDM Moor Park vs Prestfelde Pinewood
PLAYERS ONLY LUNCH – 13:00 – 13:45
Round 4*
13.45 – 14.45		 Colwall vs Prestfelde TDM vs Pinewood Moor Park
Round 5
14.45 – 15.45		 Colwall vs Pinewood TDM vs Moor Park Prestfelde

*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 Boys’ U11 – AJ Murtagh Trophy Girls’ U12 – Roger Tolchard Trophy
17.00 – 17.15 Presentations made by Keith Metcalfe, Headmaster and Mark Hardinges, Director of Sport

Rules

General Information
  • There are 5 boys’ teams and 5 girls’ teams taking part in the competition. 
  • All teams will play each other once (round-robin format), meaning four matches per team. 
  • Two points will be awarded for a win and one point for a tie. 
  • Whilst four teams play, the fifth team will rest.
Main Competition - winner takes all

The team finishing top of the group (boys and girls separately) after the round-robin stage will be crowned Eight8 Champions.

  • No final will be played – the group winner wins the competition outright.
  • In the event of teams finishing level on points at the top of the table:
    • The team that takes the  most wickets across their four matches will be ranked higher.
    • If still equal, the team scoring the most runs across their four matches will be placed higher.
    • If still equal, the result of the head-to-head match will decide.
Plate Competition
  • The team finishing second in each group (boys and girls) will be declared Plate Winners.
  • No plate final will be played.
Playing Rules
  • Each school should have a maximum of 11 players in their squad.
  • Teams for each match will consist of eight players, all aged in the under 11 for boys, and under 12 for girls age groups.
  • 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 of a standard length for 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 due to injury; however, any substitute 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, the retired batsman may return.
  • If the scores are tied at the end of the match, then the winner will be the team:
    • The team losing the fewest wickets wins.
    • If still tied: most runs after four overs, then three, two, one until a winner is determined.

THE SPIRIT OF CRICKET SHOULD BE UPHELD THROUGHOUT THE COMPETITION

Facilities

  • Spectators are asked to use the toilet located only in The Grub café opposite the Senior turf. 
  • Players and staff attending, please use the toilets 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 10am and 2pm. 

*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 it would need to be to officially allow 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.
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