We don't just like Cricket... we love it!

The Ashes cricket is well under way and so is cricket season at Hamstel Infant School. After weeks of lunchtime practice the team were ready to go as compete against 7 other Southend schools at Shoebury High School to see who would be crowned champions.

Team Hamstel's first game was against Edwards Hall. Having won the toss the team decided to field first. It was hard work in the hot afternoon sun but the team work was brilliant and limited Edwards Hall to 41 runs. The team batting was equally good and a massive score of 15 from Oliver meant the team claimed their first victory 66-41. The next game was against Bournemouth Park and with some family rivalry from Daniel, they were determined to get another win. The team lost the toss and ended up fielding first again. Bournemouth Park batted well and scored 46 runs. Hamstel's batters stepped up to the challenge with all the team scoring double figures; Bournemouth Park didn't stand a chance. Hamstel won 64-46, much to Daniel's delight.

The final group game was against Our Lady of Lourdes. It was a tough game with Our Lady of Lourdes batting well and scoring 51 runs. Our batting line up didn't falter however and we hit lots of bonus points. Lincoln with an impressive 11 runs saw Hamstel home to their victory of the day 61-51.

Next up for Team Hamstel was the semi finals and awaiting the team was West Leigh! The team managed to stick with a winning formula of fielding first. West Leigh scored and impressive 54 runs. The Hamstel batting team got to work and halfway through the game was in a balance. Yasin was the last batsman up and needed 9 to draw the teams level but this didn't bother him. He stepped up and hit 6 bonus points and went on to run 7 more runs to give the team a 58-54 victory. This meant the team had made the final and was in another game against Our lady of Lourdes. Our Lady of Lourdes scored 56 runs, the most any time had scored against our team all day. The heat, excitement and the number of games were catching up with the team but they had one more turn to bat to try and take home the trophy. The team were so determined to win. Lincoln started with a solid 8 runs, Isla was top scorer with 14, Sienna hit 2 bonus points to take her score to 9, Oliver scored an impressive 11, Daniel followed with 10 and Yasin finished the game off with another 10 runs. Meaning Hamstel won the game 62-56 and had won the whole tournament.

There was huge excitement from all of the team (not just Mr Sayer and Mrs Walker). The Hamstel Team were presented with their medals and trophy to cheers and applause from all the sport leaders and fellow competitors. Due to winning the tournament the Hamstel Team has qualified from the Essex Schools final in in Colchester.

Well done Team Hamstel.