Sunday 7th August sees the Sussex County Stoolball Association County Tournament (Ladies) take place in Seaford, East Sussex.
The County Tournament involves the top four teams from each of the five Sussex County Stoolball Association divisions. It was first played in 1957 as part of a two-week sporting "tourney" organised by Seaford Chamber of Commerce.
The sport of stoolball, over 500 years old, is the forerunner of cricket. It's played with similar equipment on any grass area with a 80 metre diameter boundary.
When I first encountered people talking about stoolball I was convinced someone was pulling my leg. Yet within a month was drafted onto the team and heading for a nearby recreation ground as part of the leisure team preparing to take on the accountants.
I found stoolball to be a cross between rounders and french cricket. Well that's how it appeared to me. It was tremendous fun and amazingly I added 'hot-shot bowler' to my list of previously unknown skills.
Of course the Seaford tournament will be played with far more skill that our after-work effort. But I'm sure they'll have the same enjoyment when the serious work is done and the champions crowned.
Across Sussex, stoolball is a serious business. There are league tables and regular matches happening all over the place. I presumed it was unique to Sussex but apparently other counties play too. Etiquette and fairness are everything and the umpire's word is final. Just how it should be.
Did we win our game? Oh yes
Find out more about the Sussex County Stoolball Association County Tournament (Ladies) which takes place at The Salts recreation ground in Seaford and starts at 10.30am.
Then come back and tell us about it.
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