SPORT IN BRIEF: Bromley win London Youth Games indoor cricket final at Lord's

They defeated Greenwich in the quarter-final and Harringey in the semis before a final clash with Redbridge.

Redbridge were restricted to 87 in their innings and smart batting and good running between the wickets meant Bromley were able to chase down the total for the loss of just one wicket with more than an over to spare.

Team manager Mike Askew was understandably delighted his team took home the title and felt their all-around performance was key to their success.

He said: “I feel elated. I thought they were the best side and it’s nice that the best side wins.”

TABLE TENNIS: Naomi Felix, a student at Bromley’s Newstead School, took top honours in the Jack Petchey Foundation London schools singles U13s competition. 

The 12-year-old (above) was playing for the first time in this competition and beat team mate Laura Tate, also aged 12, in the final. Naomi previously played in the London Schools’ team events and got through to the final.

Another Newstead student, Filipa Tunaru, aged 15, was runner-up in the girls’ U16 category.

Teacher Mrs Shue said:  “Gaining success is keeping them motivated.

“A coach comes into the school once a week but the sport is so popular with the girls they like to play every day.”

RUGBY: Tries from Mick Casizzi (2), Paul Haig and Luke Boyns helped Charlton Park to a 30-25 bonus point win over Dover.

Alan Knuckley kicked the remaining points with two penalties and two conversions.

ATHLETICS: Olympian and world athletics championship medallist Hannah England visited Colfe’s School in Lee to preside over the last event in this year’s Greenwich & Lewisham cross country league.

Colfe’s teacher Abi Tickner, who helps organise the annual event involving eight schools, invited the star to start the races, award prizes and have her photos taken with the children.

England, who is one of the world’s best 1,500m runners, said: “I think local school cross country leagues are a fantastic way to show young people how hard they can push themselves - and how rewarding running can be.”

PANATHLON: Schools from Bromley, Greenwich, Bexley and Lewisham took part in the south London final of the panathlon challenge, a mini Paralympics-style contest for children.

Bromley finished runners-up to victors Croydon, with Greenwich in fourth.

Kensington & Chelsea saw off competition from Bexley and Lewisham to win the Plate.

Guy Wilkins, a teacher at Bromley’s Marjorie McClure Special School in Chilslehurst, said: “The kids love it. It gives us a real context for our curriculum work across the school, right through to our primary students.

“We’ve got our older participants helping to run a primary panathlon event at Marjorie McClure School, so it’s spread like a very positive wave and ripple through the whole school and the whole curriculum.”

Gordon Stead, school games organiser at Greenwich’s Charlton Park Academy added: “It’s very important that all kids get the chance to play sport.

“Sport develops their confidence, it develops their social skills and they get to mix with other kids.

“It’s just a good experience for them.

“You can see the pride in their faces when they win a medal and how pleased the other kids are for them.”

FOOTBALL: After being a successful club at  a Sunday senior level for many years, Eltham-based Baldon Sports FC implemented a youth structure this season with the introduction of U8, U10s and U12s sides.

The main target was to give every child in the community, regardless of ability, a chance to play football.

And with four youth teams running healthily, Baldon Sports now feel they can now progress the club by adding to more teams and their committed coaching staff.

The club are now in the middle of planning for next season with plans for new youth teams,  a senior first team on a Saturday with the view to building a player pathway to senior football for all youth players who join the club.