29 October 2010

Bat and Trap on the Hoo Peninsula - the real beautiful game of Kent!

I used to play in a Bat and Trap team that won a league championship in East Kent, so it was good to hear about the thriving Peninsula Bat and Trap League, of which the 2010 season ended on Wednesday 3 October. The Finals Night was held at the Evening Star pub in Cliffe.

The following pubs were awarded with cups and trophies:

Royal Oak (Wainscott) - 53 Cooling Road, ME2 4RP.
Six Bells (Cliffe) - 181 Church Street, Cliffe, ME3 7QD.
Tudor Rose (Upnor) - 29 High Street, Upnor, ME2 4XG.
Evening Star (Cliffe) - 128 Church Street, Cliffe, ME3 7PY.
White Horse (Upper Stoke) - The Street, Upper Stoke, ME3 9RT.

The 2011 season will start in April / mid May and finishes at the end of September. Games are held on a Wednesday evening, commencing at 8pm. Any pub wishing to submit a team should contact Danny Gibson on 01634 290079 or 07988 769604. Or you can email Danny here.


Bat and Trap is an old Kent game, dating as far back as the 1700s - according to Ye Olde Beverlie pub in Canterbury! The Canterbury & District Bat and Trap League was the first to be set-up, in the 1920s. If you want to know more, their website provides detailed information about the history of the game in Kent.

Click the video below to see how Bat and Trap was played in the 'good old days' - not that much has changed, although it isn't necessary to wear a suit anymore!