Cricket: Saffron Walden and High Roding players win World Cup

Both Walden's Giles Ecclestone and Roding junior coach, as well as head of sport at Felsted School, Charlie Knightly, were part of the squad that won the Over 50s World Cup.

High Roding Cricket Club with Charlie Knightley (left, back row). Picture: HRCC (Image: High Roding CC)

England beat South Africa in the final with Ecclestone smashing 120 as he claimed the man of the match award.

He said: "Playing here has given a me new lease of life. I’ve loved it, playing some positive cricket with the England team in beautiful surroundings against some great opposition.

"We were here two years ago and the tournament was cut short because of COVID so we’ve had to be patient and be prepared for this.

"We played eight games in a short amount of time and the main concern was keeping these creaky bones injury free.

"But we’ve worked hard and knew we had to win two out of India, Pakistan and South Africa to get through the group stage and the USA made it tricky for us in the semi-final.

"It’s good to see over 50s cricket really taking off round the world now and locally too."

Walden's U12 girls are also in celebration mode after winning the Essex Indoor County Championship.

Played at Chelmsford, the girls won all their games against Hutton, Buckhurst Hill and Upminster to lift the crown.

A spokesman for the club said: "This is a great achievement for all the players and their coach, James Rowlandson."

It promises to be a busy summer at the Anglo American Playing Fields.

The club has again been chosen as hub for Essex Cricket Club's women and girls' cricket, while the county themselves will be using the ground on April 13 and 14 as part of their preparations for the new season.

The spokesman added: "Anyone can come and watch during the Easter break from 9.30am to around 3pm or 4pm each day.

"Essex will also be providing masterclasses to members the girls' and women's teams at the club."