Junior Cricket

Published at 15:51, Wednesday, 08 April 2009

APRIL sees the start of the Junior Cricket season and five junior finals from last year will take centre stage early on.

The finals could not be contested last August due to the weather so were left to the start of this season.

Carlisle enjoyed an exceptional year last year with their Under-11 team winning the overall league title at that age group.

They have an opportunity to add to that title by claiming the Under 11 League Cup but a very talented Whitehaven side stand in their way in what looks to be a very open cup final.

Carlisle Under-13s did even better taking the league title and County Cup.

They too have a chance to add to their tally in the Under 13 League Cup. Cockermouth Gold will be their opponents in this final.

Junior Cricketers will also be playing their own version of Twenty20 - a Ten10 event, which Workington won in 2007. The 2008 final, again carried over because of the weather, will feature three teams in a round robin format, with two Workington sides and Penrith Gold looking to come out as champions.

Penrith Under 15s take on Cockermouth Gold in the Under 15 League Cup final looking to complete a clean sweep.

No fewer than 57 teams will compete in the new league season at three age groups, from Seascale in the west, across to Appleby in the east and up to Lanercost in the north.

League Chairman, Ernie Brabbins, said: “We are very proud of the Cumbria Junior Cricket League and see many of our Juniors going on to become successful club, district and county players.

“Indeed, the standard of junior cricket appears to be on the up, which is a reflection of the efforts of both the players and the club coaches across our region.

“We are also seeing an increase in the number of girls taking part in the sport and the efforts of the England Ladies team in recently winning the World Cup will hopefully generate even more interest.”

Many clubs will be starting outdoor training sessions ahead of the league season and across the region club or community coaches will be working with schools, often as part of the National ‘Chance to Shine’ program.

Those interested in starting to play Junior Cricket should contact their local clubs to establish training nights, etc, or can obtain further details via the Cumbria Junior Cricket League website: www.cumbriajuniorcricket.com.

The league will be pleased to put new players in touch with their local clubs.

Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk