The Urban 20: George Green School Take the Trophy at Workspace Group’s Cricket Tournament
Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 2:25PM 
On Wednesday 20th June, Workspace Group and The Cricket Foundation’s Chance To Shine initiative teamed up to host the Workspace Urban 20. Five teams of secondary and high school students took to the astroturf crease in order to compete for the coveted Workspace Urban 20 trophy.
The tournament took place in Kennington, only a stone’s throw from Workspace Group’s Head Office at Chester House and (more impressively!) only a short stroll from The Oval, the home of Surrey CCC and the site of some of England’s greatest triumphs.
Given the prowess with the bat shown by the five teams, some of the Urban 20 cricketers may become quite familiar with the Oval turf in years to come.
The Urban20 teams represented three local schools: Dunraven, Stockwell Park and George Green. The five teams competed in a mini-league, with each team playing a short fixture against each other. Recognition must go to the all-girls team from George Green, who managed to out-cheer and out-scream the boys all day long!
As well as receiving medals and a trophy, the team who topped the league would play a celebratory fixture against a Workspace Group 'elite' XI.
There was very little to separate the five teams as the group stage drew to a close. Three teams, once from each school, ended level on points at the close of play. Therefore, it came down to a three-way bowl off.
After a tense affair, George Green’s boys came out on top. First place at the Urban 20 was theirs! Though lifting the trophy must’ve felt good for George Green’s captain, I’m sure the experience only paled in insignificance when compared to sharing the green with the Workspace Group team.
The Workspace Group XI were a teeming welter of talent. With experience drawn not only from Head Office, but from all four quarters of London. Seasoned cricketers from Leroy House, Parkhall Dulwich, Westminster Business Square and Club Workspace all joined the possé, bringing with them their undisputed skill and ability with both bat and ball.
Most members of the Workspace team had been letting their talent mature for a number of years. The Workspace team’s secret weapon, who shall remain nameless just in case any cricket scouts are reading, claimed that he hadn’t held a cricket bat since 1988. Lulling the rookies into a false sense of security, I’m sure.
Needless to say, we lost by one run. But, of course, it isn’t the winning that matters, is it? It’s the taking part.
Here at Workspace Group, we’re very happy to have sponsored a competition that has brought these three local schools together. It was great to chat to the students, and to find out how school was going, and just how much cricket coaching they receive! The sportsmanship on show from the school teams was commendable too. It it worth noting that sledging was only heard on the field when the Workspace fielding team started encroaching ever closer to the wicket.
Another triumph of the day were the t-shirts. Each young cricketer wore a special 'Urban 20' shirt, the design that graced the tee was designed by one of their rank. Therefore the Urban 20 was not only a sporting triumph, it was a celebration of the students’ design and vocational talents too.
Thank you very much to the Cricket Foundation and Chance to Shine for putting on such an enjoyable event. Thanks to your efforts, the event ran like clockwork! The biggest thanks, of course, goes to the schools. Without your impressive sporting ability, the day would’ve been impossible.
