An under-nine cricket festival held at Pembroke Castle has been hailed a success.

The festival, organised by Sport Pembrokeshire in conjunction with Glamorgan County Cricket Club and supported by Valero was the first of its kind at the castle and was played out to promote the forthcoming ICC (International Cricket Council) Champions Trophy matches taking place in Cardiff in June.

Cresselly, Haverfordwest, Hook, Kilgetty, Lawrenny, Neyland, Saundersfoot and Whitland cricket clubs participated in the event which attracted around 250 players and supporters and provided a tremendous spectacle for those watching high up on the castle’s walls.

Each team played two matches with every player presented with an ICC water bottle courtesy of the town’s Mayor, Clr. Dennis Evans and his wife, Rita.

Mark Frost, cricket liaison officer with Glamorgan County Cricket Club, said: “We were really impressed with the response from the Pembrokeshire clubs to the invitation and the welcome and openness from Pembroke Castle and the local authority to use this fantastic venue to lift the hearts and minds of many young people.”

Many people took to social media to provide positive feedback about the event including: ‘We think cricket in the Castle has a certain ring to it. When do we come back?’ was one comment with another saying: ‘What a location for Pembs ICC Champions Trophy Under 9s festival! Pembroke Castle Grounds transformed! The future of junior cricket.’

Sport Pembrokeshire’s cricket development officer Martin Jones has confirmed the event will take place again next year with a date yet to be decided.

He added the event surpassed his expectations.

“The location lends itself to such events and I’m grateful to the manager of Pembroke Castle Trust Jon Williams and Carys Mills who helped me organise it. It was a fabulous occasion.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves and that was the purpose of the festival because cricket is all about fun, enjoyment and participation.