LAT v PCA Legends
LAT v PCA Legends - Friday 1st July 2022
On Friday 1st July Leigh Academies Trust welcomed the PCA England Legends for the annual charity cricket match at Bexley Cricket Club. This was the first fixture since 2019 due to covid restrictions and it turned out to be a day to remember for the LAT XI as they claimed a fantastic 5-wicket victory with just 5 balls to spare. This was a first victory for the LAT XI against the PCA legends who included England greats such as Jonathan Trott, Monty Panesar, Owais Shah and Alex Tudor in their line-up.
Prior to the main match, Leigh Academies Trust hosted a primary school kwik cricket tournament on the outfield with 15 schools and 150 pupils taking part. Year 10 students from The Leigh Academy supported the event as umpires and scorers and thanks to the wonderful planning of the event from Mrs Palmer of Oaks Academy and Mr Crouch from The Leigh Academy, a brilliant tournament was eventually won by a superb team from Marden Primary Academy. Throughout the morning, the PCA players circulated the games and got involved with a bit of coaching as well as signing autographs. To top it all off, former England captain and special guest for the day, Graham Gooch OBE was on hand to present the trophy to Marden Primary Academy. A few of their star players are sure to be seen lining up for the LAT XI in a few years time taking on the pros!
A key component of the day is a fundraising lunch which takes place in a marquee on the outfield of Bexley CC and catered for by Impact Food Group. This year was an early sell-out, with all 40 tables sold by February and a 400 strong audience in attendance for an entertaining few hours hosted by former England cricketer Ed Giddins. Once again, this part of the day was supported by 40 Year 10 students from The Leigh Academy who were wonderful ambassadors in their role as lunchtime servers. A bonus for the students was the generous tipping taking place from some of the tables! The lunchtime entertainment included a Q&A with Graham Gooch who shared some hilarious stories from his international playing days, as well as a silent and live auction raising funds for students across Leigh Academies Trust. The auctions contained some incredible items such as a 5* break in Puerto Banus, a trip to the Monaco Grand Prix, full hospitality tickets to a Manchester United game and signed memorabilia from the likes of Pele and Muhammed Ali.
With the kwik cricket and lunch complete, it was time for the main event - a 25 overs a side game between the PCA legends and a LAT XI. The PCA won the toss and skipper Alex Tudor elected to bat first. LAT skipper Barney, a Year 11 student at The Leigh Academy opened the bowling with fellow Leigh Academy student Harry in front of a crowd nearing 1000 people. Harry soon removed Owais Shah for just 4 runs and this was followed up by an excellent spell of bowling from Brin of Longfield Academy who claimed another 2 wickets as the PCA posted 196-5 in their 25 overs.
The LAT XI started their run chase with the PCA borrowing Bailey from Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical school as their wicket keeper following a shoulder injury to former England player and Ashes winner, Phil DeFreitas. The run chase was on from the first ball of the LAT innings and a stunning knock of 81 from Jack Aldred set us up for a grandstand finish. Even a wily spell of 2-25 from Monty Panesar couldn’t stop the LAT XI reaching a marvellous victory from 24.1 overs, much to the delight of the highly partisan home crowd!