This summer, Rugby School had the honour of hosting Warwickshire County Cricket Club for three eagerly-anticipated Metro Bank One Day Cup fixtures, all within a fantastic fortnight during August, against Surrey, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire. The events have been a resounding success, with all three matches reaching the 3,000 spectator capacity.

The Close, bathed in glorious sunshine for the first two matches (and with more traditional English conditions for the final game), was the perfect setting for the return of the Warwickshire team for the first time since they recorded a victory against Sussex in 2015. Enthusiastic spectators gathered on the tiered banks adjacent to School Field, enjoying picnics under the umbrage of the trees and soaking up the quintessential English summer scene. New Big Side, once home to notable cricketing Rugbeians from all eras such as Plum Warner, Richard Montgomerie, Maia Bouchier and Jacob Bethell, now played host to internationals such as Surrey coach, Alec Stewart, Notts and former England coach, Peter Moores, Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Ben Foakes, and Haseem Hameed, to name but a few. 

For county cricket supporters without their own sandwiches, a decent selection of food was available, adding to the festival ambience. The matches themselves did not disappoint. Warwickshire claimed a thrilling 3 run victory against Surrey, as the two sides shared a total of 619 runs, testament to the true quality of the playing surface. Warwickshire set Yorkshire a less challenging target of 243 in the second game, which the Tykes chased down successfully, a fluent fifth wicket stand including a number of slog-swept sixes to keep the crowd on their toes. The final game was affected by the weather, and was ended abruptly by a final shower, but Messrs Duckworth and Lewis, ever the unwanted gatecrashers, awarded a 12 run win to Nottinghamshire, who were 135 for 5 at that moment, and mathematically ahead of the game. Warwickshire, however, qualified successfully for the quarter-final, in which they were fated to face Worcestershire, back at Edgbaston.

WCCC was delighted with how the Rugby Cricket Festival had gone, and the experiment of taking cricket to the east of the county had proved to be a resounding success. All those who watched the cricket on NBS will be keen to see a repeat next season.