Howzat for a big night out for the league’s top talent!

Young stars honoured at Premier League’s awards JUNIOR CRICKET

TALENTED young cricketers were bowled over after picking up prizes at this year’s Dukes North East Premier League’s junior awards night.

The evening, hosted by Burnopfield Cricket Club, celebrated the achievements of young cricketers based on NEPL Cup performances during the summer.

It included a quiz and a question-and-answer session with Durham County Cricket Club’s all-rounder Matthew Potts.

Teenager Potts, who made his first-class debut at the Emirates Rvierside last summer, spoke to the youngsters about his experience breaking into the first team.

Each club nominated three players at under-11, under-13 and under-15 level based on their performances in cup games.

From the nominations an overall player of the season for each age group was chosen along with second and third-place awards.

Hetton Lyons (under-11s), Burnopfield (under-13s), Eppleton and Burnopfield (Under-15 Plaque), Boldon (Under-15 Cup) and Chester-le-Street (Under-15 Shield) all picked up trophies for winning their respective agegroup cups.

Third place at under-11s went to Mason Bell from Whitburn, the runner-up award going to Nathan Bushby of Eppleton CC.

The overall under-11s’ player of the season was presented to Owen Hayton of Hetton Lyons for scoring 126 runs in four innings - with a best knock of 44 not out against Felling.

Eppleton’s Edward Brown took the third place award at under-13 level with the runner-up prize going to Matthew Sheppard of South Shields Cricket Club.

Tom Bolam took the overall player of the season honours for amassing 101 runs in the competition and combined that with bowling figures of 6-15.

In the under-15s section it was Will Perry of Tynemouth Cricket Club who claimed the thirdplaced award after he posted 200 runs in four innings - including scores of 94 and 91.

South Shields player Adam May was runner-up for scoting 150 runs in four innings.

The overall under-15s’ player of the season was Chester-le-Street’s Ollie Barrett, who was impressive with the ball in the Shield final in bagging 7-15.

He also totalled 130 runs in fours innings at Ropery Lane.

Pictured receiving his award from Durham all-rounder Matthew Potts at the Dukes North East Premier Cricket League’s junior presentation night is Burnopfield CC’s Tom Bolam (under-13s’ player of the season)

Chester-le-Street CC’s Ollie Barrett (under-15s’ player of the season) is congratulated by Matthew Potts

Will Perry (under-15s, third place)

Edward Brown (under-13s third place)

Under-13s’ runner-up Matthew Shephard

Whitburn CC’s Mason Bell (under-11, third place) receives his award

Under-11 runner-up Nathan Bushby with his memento