Middleton youngsters rewarded for cracking cricket season

Some of the prize-winning colts at Middleton

Great Ballard School at Eartham sponsor the colts’ section which enables them to train and play at the school. Staff from the school have visited the club and both parties are looking at ways of developing the relationship.

The season saw the numbers of colts training increasing to 85 and teams were entered into leagues from under-ten to under-15.

Players aged seven to 15 benefitted from coaching provided by the experienced and well-qualified team.

Middleton teams finished top of their West Area cricket leagues at under-11, under-12 and under-14. In the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival, teams were entered at under-11, under-12, under-13 and under-14.

There were strong performances throughout the season, recognised by the Travel Places performance of the month award. These were won by Richard Heath, James Carter, Rhys Nicholas and Ben Peach. The season’s award went to Jack Dawling for a century and 96 in the under-14 Sussex festival games.

Age group awards were presented, at batting, bowling and most improved, the winners were: U10, Sam Green, Dill Howell, Cameron Kearns; U11, Owen Spicer, Charlie Maginnis, Harry Leaver; U12, Thomas Robinson, Ben Purkis, Ellie Cogger; U13, Christian Bellamy, Jay Cockaday, James Carter; U14, Jack Dawling, Ben Taylor, Jack Doe.

All players benefitted from the pairs and traditional format of cricket provided by the West Area Cricket Association.

Many players were selected for the west-area representative squads at under-ten and under-11. Christian Bellamy was the WACA under-11 player of the year.

Murray Carter and Phoenix Ashworth have played for the Sussex under-11 squad while Jess Young has played for the Sussex women’s under-13 team.

Charlie Maginnis received the Parick Gooderson Award from the west area committee for showing the most improvement within the area programme.

Many of the young players are starting to experience senior cricket within the academy team, which strengthens the club’s future.

If you are interested in joining Middleton Cricket Club as a player junior or senior, supporter or volunteer, please email [email protected]