The Swindon Midweek Cricket League, created for businesses in the Swindon area to compete against each other in after-work matches, has celebrated 50 years of competitive cricket.
Players past and present took part in a recent commemorative game at the town’s Nalgo cricket ground to celebrate with a team of current and past employees of accountants Monahans, which has supported the league since its launch, were outplayed by the chairman’s guest eleven.
The league was started as a means of getting more people involved in the sport. This meant the Australian format of 15 x 8 ball overs was adopted to ensure fast and furious games, which could take place in the evenings after work and still allow time for a few drinks afterwards.
Some 50 years on more than 30 teams are still participating on a regular basis.
Monahans has had a team in the league for almost its entire history, although in the early days it was called Newport House due to restrictions placed on accountants advertising their name.
In more recent years Monahans has also been the main sponsor of the league. Managing partner Mike Shawyer said: “Monahans is proud to have been involved in the league since it first started and we are really pleased to be able to continue supporting it all these years later. It has really helped businesses and cricket clubs in the region to come together on a regular basis and to enjoy competitive sport but in a fun environment.”
