MARTINSTOWN Cricket Club’s youth section have completed their most successful season ever with more than 100 children from the ages of six to 15 attending training sessions at their Ashton ground.

Youth co-ordinator, Lee House said: “Last year, we had approximately 80 youngsters attend sessions at the club, this year we topped 100 and it was great to see boys and girls play and love the sport, especially during an Ashes summer.”

The club’s under-11 Marvels team won the league with the other under-11 side, the Mavericks, finishing runners-up. The Dave Cheffey Cup was also retained by the talented side.

In the other age groups, the under-13 Marvels won the league and finished runners-up in the Archie Masters Cup to a strong Cerne side, demonstrating the strength of West Dorset cricket at that age group.

The final was a fantastic display of cricket, resulting in a one wicket victory for the Cerne youngsters.

The under-13s also competed in the Dorset Cup, falling at the semi-final stages to champions Parley at Dean Park.

The under-9 sides enjoyed a series of friendly softball matches to develop skills and their cricket understanding.

In addition, a number of the club’s youngsters have been successfully representing West Dorset and Dorset.

The under-15 side finished mid-table and are currently playing a number of midweek afternoon friendlies against local and touring sides.

House said: “The boys and girls who attended the sessions have displayed a fantastic attitude and hunger to learn. “They have wanted to have fun and improve as players — they are a real credit to the club and their families.

“We are a club for all and, although it is nice for the players to win trophies, it is not the most important thing for us as a club with our youth section.

“A number of the younger players are already following in the well-trodden path into representing the club at adult level.

“It’s been great to see the likes of Sean Williams, John Stewart, Nathan McNab, Jack Kane, Jacob Coombs, Charlie Durant, Oscar Kelly and Sam Pugh among others play, and make a difference, in our adult sides.

“We often have seven to nine players in the first team who’ve risen through our junior sides so there’s the right environment in place for the youngsters to thrive.”

Plans are already being laid for the winter and 2016 season with additional youth grass tracks being laid at Ashton and a winter training programme being developed.

The club are also looking to start a girls’ side.

House said: “I’d like to thank all the club’s coaches, managers, admin, groundstaff, committee and parents for making this year so special.”

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