LINTON PARK YOUNGSTERS HAVE STARS IN THEIR EYES AT LORD’S

Linton Park Cricket Club returned to Lord’s again on Saturday. The adults won the National Village Knockout at Lord’s in 1978 and in 1999 and last year the under-13s were invited to take part in an indoor tournament by Primrose Hill CC, who use the indoor centre. This year Linton Park, coached by John Taylor and John Karassellos, were invited to send an under-11 side. The team have enjoyed an unbeaten spring in an indoor tournament at Folkestone but found themselves up against some familiar names in their first match, against Alderley Edge from Cheshire. Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was one of their coaches, with his two sons playing. There were a couple of other familiar surnames as Linton found themselves up against the offspring of former England captain Michael Vaughan and ex-Lancashire skipper Glen Chapple – both of whom were watching. The boys got off to a nervous start with some different rules from the Folkestone tournament, which threw them a little. They went on to win their last game against the hosts by almost 30 runs. Captained by Freddie Taylor, the boys demonstrated teamwork and determination can take you a long way. Alderley Edge went on to win the tournament but Linton Park were given a tour of Lord’s, including the England dressing room and the chance to see the Ashes urn.