Cricketers felled by swarm of bees

Nearly everyone hit the deck when a swarm of bees crossed the
Tynwald Park cricket pitch on Sunday.

NEARLY all the players in a cricket match at New Norfolk's Tynwald Park were forced to hit the deck on Sunday when a swarm of bees crossed the ground.

Derwent Valley Gazette cricket writer Wade Gleeson reports that the incident occurred during the Kookaburra Southern Cricket Association third grade match between New Norfolk II and Old Beach.

"While Old Beach was batting, a swarm of bees crossed the ground - flooring almost every player including the umpire, who were trying to steer clear of being stung," Wade reports.

"The crowd had a little chuckle, but that soon changed as the bees then came charging for them. An interesting time for all, to say the least!"

New Norfolk's Cody Neads, fielding at long on, had been the first to drop as the bees approached. Unable to see the flying insects, some in the crowd thought he must have rolled his ankle or suffered some other injury.

"Then when the bees went towards the middle, everyone just dropped," onlooker Josh Walsh said. "When the umpire dropped, everyone else followed," he said.

No injuries were reported and the game continued without further interruption, ending in a 138-run victory for the New Norfolk Red Caps. Read the rest of Wade's report in the Gazette on Wednesday.

The scene at Tynwald Park in New Norfolk when a swarm of bees interrupted
Sunday's cricket match between New Norfolk and Old Beach.