Appeal for Devon cricket clubs to save visiting tour

Young cricketers from Kidderminster have been knocked for six after being let down by a sports travel company, leaving plans for a summer tour to Devon in tatters.

In March Glamorgan-based Syrene Sports Travel Ltd offered to organise the five-day tour, sourcing accommodation and games for the team, whose players range from 14 to 18.

But Kidderminster Cricket Club’s junior section chairman Sarah Beadsworth said since early June she has been “fobbed off” by travel company boss Adrian Evans and since last Friday he has not answered her phone calls or texts.

She said: “He sounded confident that he would be able to find us games and, having, organised a tour to Yorkshire last year, I knew it would take some time for clubs to agree fixtures, so I didn’t hassle him.

“By Early June, however, I was beginning to become a little anxious and contacted him for updates. I was totally fobbed off – he either didn’t answer and texted to say was driving and would phone later but didn’t, or when I did manage to speak to him he said he was away and couldn’t give me details of what was already confirmed.

“This was supposed to include a T20 match and chalet accommodation at a Bideford holiday park. Last week he said he would be home on Friday and would let me know the details. Since then, his phone numbers just ring out and he has not replied to my texts.”

Mrs Beadsworth said she had received unsolicited emails from the company over several months touting for business, using the slogan We organise, We Manage, We Stress…. You Tour! She said: “I took up the offer because I had just started a full-time job.

The irony is, by doing so I have caused myself more stress than if I had organised the tour myself. I want to warn other sports clubs to be wary of this kind of advertising. I was naïve, it turns out Mr Evans is a coach driver and Syrene Sports Travel is an enterprise he is trying to do on the side.

“I am now desperately trying to find clubs anywhere in North or East Devon to give us games, but of course it is getting very late in the day – and a number have said they would have liked to play us if they had been given more notice, but have full schedules now.”

Mrs Beadsworth, whose son Sam, aged 17, is one of the disappointed cricketers, is eager to hear from any clubs in that could play the team – which includes several Worcestershire County youth players.

She said: “The team would happily play other teenagers or a 2nd XI standard men’s team in either 40 over games or day or evening T20s. The plan was to travel down on Monday July 31 – to be available to play from that evening until the Friday lunchtime, (August 4) before returning home.

“We have transport arranged and could book accommodation at a holiday park if we move quickly, but time is against us now. The only saving grace is that we were not asked to pay any money up front – Mr Evans claimed he was able to hold the accommodation for so long without a deposit because it was reserved through his travel company.”

Mrs Beadsworth, who is desperate not to let her young team down, can be contacted on 07841 502535 if anyone can help resurrect the tour.