N-ice way to play cricket

With winter still holding us in its icy grip, thoughts of most cricket clubs turn to the spring, warmer weather and the coming season.

Hethersett and Tas Valley are a hardy bunch, however, and decided to swap the cold and snow of Norfolk for an even colder climate many miles away.

The club has just returned from taking part in an ice cricket competition in Tallinn, Estonia, where they played on a frozen lake in temperatures of more than minus nine degrees.

Hethersett proved they can play in all climates, however, by winning the six-a-side tournament which was similar

rule-wise to the club's own super sixes tournament held every August.

All six players bowled a single over; there were no wicketkeepers as such, although the teams were allowed a fielder behind the stumps; a plastic ball was used to prevent holes being made in the ice; three points were awarded for a win and one for a draw and a system of bonus points was also employed.

Hethersett and Tas Valley fielded two sides in the tournament.

The first team beat Estonia after reaching their 38-run target with more than an over to spare.

They then beat Hethersett's second team after scoring 40 and bowling their opponents out for six. Next up were Libanus from Wales.

Hethersett scored 29 and bowled their opponents out for four.

In their final game, they beat Nutley Hill from Surrey after bowling them out for just seven and reaching their target in three overs.

Hethersett won the tournament with four wins out of four. The second team lost to Estonia and Nuttley Hill, but beat Libanus, to finish fourth.

Hethersett and Tas Valley's John Curtis was named the tournament's best player and Sam Smith was awarded the 'catch of the tournament' trophy.

'It was tremendous fun and gave us an insight into what we might have to expect in the new season if the temperatures don't soon improve,' joked club chairman Tony Smith.