This has been the busiest season yet for Junior cricket at Neston and underlines the thriving nature of sport at this level. We have been greatly helped by the contribution of Neil Perry as our coach right through from the indoor nets at Birkenhead Park in the winter to the very last under 11 coaching session at the end of August. We would particularly like to thank David Jellicoe and Les Attwell for their huge support in preparing pitches (including an EXTRA wicket on the back pitch between the other two on occasions,) as well as the use of the front ground for under 9 matches. A special vote of thanks too, to the parents who have managed teams and helped with the coaching on Monday and Wednesday evenings. We will also remember this as the "year of the helmet" which introduced an unwelcome (but necessary) additional bit of bureaucracy for cricket coaches and parents.

Team and individual performances are covered in more detail in accompanying reports from the team managers, but here are a few highlights of the 2000 season:

Under 15's
This was the first year in which we competed in the Cheshire County League, and we performed creditably, although considering the sheer talent in this team, we might have done better in terms of overall results. Many of these boys have now appeared in the club's senior teams, and a number of them have played representative cricket for Cheshire and the County League. Elliott Berstock, as captain, may have been the star and was se;lected for the club's 1st eleven towards the end of the season, but David Milligan, Simon Stokes, Mark Garrett, and Steve Carter made impressive contributions too.
Click here for full Under 15's report

Under 14's
The under 14 festival has now become an established event in the second week of August. For the 2nd year running, the competition was won by Upton. Disappointingly we lost the semi-final to Caldy. Nick Carter captained the side well and there were notable performances from Tom Hollingsbee (131 not out v. B'head Park), Alex Tyler and Lloyd Murphy with the bat and Owen Llewellyn, Nick Carter and Tom Gorton with the ball.

Under 13's
For the second year we fielded two teams at this level, and not surprisingly the younger team (mainly under 12 boys) struggled on occasions, but acquitted themselves well. We are convinced that it is important to give opportunities to as many as possible at this age to play competitive cricket and will therefore continue to enter an under 13 team in the Wirral League as well as the Cheshire County League.
Click here for full Under 13's report

Under 11's
There is an impressive number of talented boys coming through at this age and we shall be looking to provide even more competitive opportunities for the under 10s who don't quite make it into the under 11 team.
Click here for full Under 11's report

Under 9's
What an impressive debut! Great enthusiasm from boys (and girls) as well as the parents for this innovation. Already one or two stars of the future are appearing. We are indebted to Tim Ledsham for his tremendous contribution to the coaching of this group.
Click here for full Under 9's report
Photo

At the Junior presentation evening on Friday 22nd September, Jim Marshall, the Cricket Chairman, presented the following awards :
* The Frank Sandham Trophy for Junior clubman of the year to Elliott Berstock
* The Jack Brown Trophy for Under 13 player of the year to Alistair Wilson Photo
* The Charlie Swift Salver for under 11 player of the year to Tom Richardson
Photo of all three winners

The presentations, which were attended by more than 70 junior cricketers and their parents, were followed by a fish & chip supper, and the evening was rounded off with a sporting quiz.

We're now taking an Autumn break but will be back with Indoor Nets at Birkenhead Park at the beginning of February 2001.

Peter Joslin - Junior Cricket Chairman