Cricketers knocked for six as bull stops play
AVILLAGE cricket club has hit the international headlines after a bull invaded the pitch and charged at players.
Cricketers beginning their second innings at Kerridge Cricket Club were forced to flee when the escaped ginger bull interrupted their game against Mossley on Saturday.
The animal charged at captain Adam Banks before turning on the umpire and a fielder, who quickly dived out of its path.
A video of the incident, captured by a player from the Mossley team, has since been shared by Australian and Indian newspapers.
Adam Banks, captain of Kerridge, from Bollington, said: “It was scary at the time but I can see the funny side now. At first I just thought ‘hello, what’s this?’ as it was just plodding around the pitch. But then it took one look at me and started charging. I thought ‘stand your ground’ but that’s not so easy when you have a half tonne bull running towards you.”
Adam, 38, added: “I went one way, he tried to turn but because the ground was wet its legs went from under it. Then it got up and headed for the umpire and the other guy.”
He added: “We have kids coming to the games so you always have to be wary of where the balls are flying, but we’ve never had to worry about bulls.”
Despite the players’ best efforts to contain it, the cow exited the field and headed along Clarke Lane towards the village when it leapt over a stile and into a nearby field, where it is believed to have been captured. Adam, who works at a paper mill in Bollington, added: “I didn’t realise it was caught on video until I saw it had caught fire on social media. It’s been shared in India and Australia. It’s great because it’s put little clubs like ours and Mossley onto the world map.”
Sixteen-year-old Kelseys Watson, who lives near Bollington Leisure Centre, also came face to face with what appears to be the raging bull when it invaded her garden before the cricket match.
She said: “I looked through the window and saw there was a cow in the yard – I didn’t realise it was a bull. I went out to it and it charged at me and I had to hide. It rammed through the fence and damaged my little brother and sister’s bikes. My legs were shaking, I was pretty scared. Luckily it got stuck and one of the farmers arrived and got it away. But then it ran off into a field at the back of our house.”
This incident was also captured on CCTV.
Kelsey, who has just graduated from Tytherington school, said: “I rang my mum straight away and told her there was a cow in the garden. She was watching it all as it happened at my nanny and grandad’s house [via the CCTV].
“I can see the funny side of it now, but I don’t think I’ll be going near a cow again.”
For a full match report of the Kerridge game see Sport.