Derwent Vale Primary School were the victors as Workington Cricket Club played host to a schools festival this week.

Sixteen teams from 15 schools descended on the Ernest Valentine Ground for the Kwik Cricket event, held annually by the club.

And this year saw the closest ever final between Derwent Vale and Seaton Junior School that went down to the final ball.

In total 160 youngsters picked up a bat and ball from across Allerdale. There were two teams from Ewanrigg Junior School and one apiece from the following: St Patrick’s Primary, Workington; Seaton Juniors; Ashfield Juniors, Workington; Bri-dekirk Dovenby Primary, Derwent Vale Primary, Clifton; All Saints Primary, Cockermouth; Westfield Primary, Workington; Distington Primary, Broughton Moor Primary, Flimby Primary, Dearham Primary, Lorton Primary and Beckstone Primary, Harrington.

On a warm, cloudy day the teams competed in an exciting five-hour festival playing in a competition for the WCC Kwik Cricket Trophy.

There were four leagues with four round-robin matches held in the morning.

After lunch the knock out stages were held that produced semi-finals between Derwent Vale and St Patrick’s and Seaton against Bridekirk.

Seaton and Derwent Vale were victors and played each other in an exciting final.

Derwent Vale batted first and scored a respectable total. In reply Seaton kept a steady run rate and with the last ball to be delivered they trailed by two runs.

Organiser, Malcolm Wood, said: “It was a nail-biting end to a great day’s cricket, with any one of three results possible – two runs for a draw, boundary victory for Seaton or the Derwent Vale fielders kept their nerve.

“The final ball was hit high in the air, a splendid catch was taken to hand victory to Derwent Vale.

“Workington CC would like to thank all the schools for taking part, playing some good competitive cricket showing great sportsmanship throughout the day.

“At the end of the day cricket and enjoyment was the real winner for over 160 boys and seven girls from our local schools.”