Birthday week inspires future

Brewood's Deansfield ground played host to seven days of sport and entertainment last week to mark the club's latest major milestone.

Hundreds of people packed out the venue throughout the week and the club have been so delighted with the response that they intend to repeat the event once every couple of years.

Event co-ordinator Phil McShane said: "I was absolutely overwhelmed by how successful it was. It couldn't have gone much better to be honest.

"The weather was kind to us so all of the cricket events took place and we have had nothing but positive feedback from everybody who was there during the week. People are already asking when the next cricket week is going to be and saying that they will come back again in the future to support it.

"When we set off we weren't sure how successful it would be but now we know we can do it we'd like to do it every couple of years."

Anniversary week, which ran from July 12-19, saw a six-a-side cricket tournament held on the opening day, which the hosts won, defeating teams from Cannock, Milford Hall and Penkridge.

It was followed by a Lichfield Diocese XI match against St Georges on the Monday.

A junior fun day followed on Tuesday before a thrilling match between Brewood and an MCC XI provided the biggest highlight of the week on Wednesday.

An evening concert by Brewood Acoustic Music Club took place on Thursday before Wolves football legends Steve Bull and Andy Mutch visited on Friday night to regale a large audience with tales from their impressive careers.

Saturday saw the first team defeated by Bridgnorth in Birmingham & District League Division Two – the only loss the club suffered all week – before an evening concert by local band The Copicats rounded off the week later that same day.

McShane said: "Brewood won the six–a-side tournament which was a great start to the week. They won all their games, but the game against the MCC was the highlight of the week in terms of cricket."

The MCC brought a side made up of top players from the Birmingham League, and Brewood looked to be heading for defeat after the visitors made a formidable 250 from their innings.

Barnt Green's Ed Pollock led the scoring, plundering a fine 90, but Brewood came roaring back to win the match by two wickets, thanks to a last-gasp four off the final ball.

Cameron Fox made an impressive 97 while Bruce Thomason's 82 also played a major role in their successful run chase before Robbie Byrne scored the winning runs.

McShane said: "It was a fantastic game. A lot of people came down for that match and the MCC have contacted us about making the game an annual thing. It is certainly something that we'd look to do every year if we can."

Anniversary week was designed to help mark 150 years of cricket at Brewood as well as raising awareness of the club and raising funds to improve facilities for both senior and junior players.

The club is aiming to buy a new three-lane artificial cricket net, and McShane said: "We made a very healthy profit from the week which is going to help with the long-term projects we have got at the club."

Brewood is currently in fine health, having seen the first team win promotion to the Birmingham League in 2010, with two further promotions seeing them peak in Division One in 2013.

Relegation followed last year but the club can also boast three other seniors men's Saturday sides, as well as a Sunday League outfit, and a women's senior side.

Their junior section caters for boys and girls from under-eight to under-14 level and they also have an under-16 boys' team.