British Officers claim US cricket festival at Philadelphia
Tony Munro - 21 May 1999

The staging of the United States' most popular club tournaments, the Philadelphia Cricket Festival, proved a major success for tournament organiser, Craig Joss, with a man-of-the-match award winning performance for British Officers' Cricket Club in the final over fellow local side, Haverford College. Joss was unbeaten on 50 not out as BOCC overtook Haverford College's 107-8 in 25 overs for the loss of six wickets in the 23rd over.

BOCC was awarded the winner's trophy by guest of honour, Sir Garfield Sobers.

Joss' batting exploits mirrored his organisational ability as the tournament, which attracted 10 teams, including three from outside the United States, was regarded as a major success.

The group tables were:
Group A - BOC (4 wins, 0 losses), Germantown C.C. (3-1), Toronto Cricket, Curling and Skating Club (Canada) (2-2), The Village Greenies (Cayman Islands) (1-3) and Philadelphia C.C. (0-4)
Group B - Haverford College (4-0), Lloyds of London (England) (3-1), Marin C.C. (from San Francisco) (2-2), Mad Dogs C.C. (New York) (1-3) and Merion C.C. (0-4).

The 25-over matches were played at four venues around Philadelphia.

In the past the event, which has been staged annually since 1993, has attracted teams from Bermuda, the Netherlands, as well as Florida and North Carolina.

Philadelphia was the pulse of the game in the United States in its boom period before the Civil War, after which baseball took over in popularity.

The first local club, Union C.C, was formed in Camden in 1840.