FOUR village cricket teams from around Bredon Hill competed in a keenly contested 20-over tournament.

The inaugural Bredon Hill Bash cup went to Ashton-under-Hill, who beat Bredon Cricket Club by 30 runs in the final played at the losing side's Hill Close ground yesterday.

The plate went to the Crown Inn, Kemerton, who beat Overbury by just one run in a play-off held earlier in the day.

The two matches were the culmination of a month-long round robin competition between Ashton, Bredon and Overbury cricket clubs, and a side from the Crown Inn.

The batting award was presented to Josh Colwell and the bowling award went to Mitch Berry, both of Ashton Cricket Club.

The finals day was played out in fabulous bank holiday weekend sunshine, and attracted a large crowd of people from communities around the hill.

The competition was organised by Jake Denton, landlord of the Crown Inn.

His fond memories of his own cricketing experiences around Bredon Hill inspired him to organise it.

He regrets that the village cricket games he used to play on Sundays now happen less frequently.

“One of the main problems is that people are so busy now,” he said.

“A game of cricket can start just after lunch and not finish until early evening. People just don’t have the time.

“That’s why I thought the shorter, 20-over format of the game might be better.”

It seems local cricket fans agreed. Bredon welcomed a large crowd for the finals day, helped by the fabulous bank holiday weather and musical entertainment from local duo The Brethryn, who performed after the matches. The clubhouse bar was open throughout, there was also a barbecue and a bouncy castle from younger children.

Bredon Cricket Club chairman Neil Hall said he was delighted with the support the competition had attracted, and hoped more village teams would take part next year.