THE Southend Cricket Festival has been declared a success by the organising committee – despite the wet weather.

Persistent rain meant neither of Unicorns’ scheduled CB40 games were able to be completed at Garon Park during the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.

But, despite that frustration, the festival still generated a profit.

And it is set to take place again next year, with or without Essex.

“Everything we worked on proved to be successful and we can confirm there will definitely be another Southend Cricket Festival next year,” said the festival’s operations director Neil Harding.

“We’re very pleased about that and by the fact we also made a small profit.

“It was obviously very frustrating the weather wasn’t better and we weren’t able to complete a game, but we have no control over that.

“What was nice to hear was that Sussex, Kent and Unicorns were all very complimentary about the ground and the facilities we have hear.

“Unicorns also made positive noises about wanting to come back and that’s great.”

The organising committee, who were well supported by Southend Borough Council, worked tirelessly to keep the festival alive after Essex controversially decided to stop playing in the town after 106 years.

But Sunday’s clash between Unicorns and Sussex Sharks was abandoned without a ball being bowled, while Tuesday’s game between Unicorns and Kent also failed to produce a result.

Unicorns, a side made up of young players attempting to break in to the professional game, made 177-8 before rain brought the game to end with Kent on 9-0.

However, Harding was encouraged by the size of the crowd.

“We had 550 fans there which – with the weather we had – was brilliant,” said Harding.

“That has helped us make a small profit and we’re pleased by that.

“It’s too early to know the exact figure but we have an amateur committee and I think it was shown over the weekend that we had done a good job.”