Beechen's remedy for success

23 June 2008

Beechen Cliff School had a special visitor in Giles Clarke when they played the Forty Club

ECB chairman Giles Clarke visited Beechen Cliff School last Thursday and chatted to pupils to see how they are putting the Chance to shine project into practice.

The all-boys state school in Bath educates more than 1,200 pupils and cricket plays a big part with 'A' and 'B' teams being run for each age-group.

Beechen Cliff has good links with the local community and cricket clubs, most significantly with Bath CC with whom the Chance to shine project is shared.

Coaches from Bath visit the school to provide tuition which ensures each pupil in year seven has been coached by ECB qualified coaches. The school's first team is given support out of school hours by Mark Thorburn - a level three coach and England Under-19 video analyst, as well as being a former pupil of the school.

Clarke watched the school play a thrilling match against the Forty Club. After the pupils had set the visitors 196 to win, following Joe Addey's 89 and 79 from Robbie Holton, the Forty Club looked set for victory with just three runs needed off the final over.

However, Josh Self held his nerve to concede just two runs and force a tie.

The school are holding a raffle at their forthcoming cricket festival and last year raised £1,000 for Cancer Research.