Top honours for league’s starlets
NORTH EAST PREMIER LEAGUE
YOUNGSTERS from across the Dukes North East Premier League were bowled over after picking up awards at the 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 question-andanswer session with Durham pace bowler Chris Rushworth.
Rushworth, who has been awarded a testimonial with Durham for the 2019 season, spoke about his career as a cricketer and how being released from Durham Academy made him work even harder at his game.
Each club nominated three players at under-11, under-13 and under-15 level based on their performances in NEPL cup games.
From the nominations, an overall player of the season for each age group was chosen along with second and thirdplace awards.
Gateshead Fell (under-11s), Chester-le -Street (under-11s), Burnopfield (under -13s), Gateshead Fell (under-13s), Blaydon (Under-15 Plaque), Willington (Under-15 Cup) and Tynemouth (Under15 Shield) all picked up trophies for winning their respective age-group cups.
Third place at under-11 level went to Scott Reay from Eppleton Cricket Club, with the runner-up award going to Toby Bell of Chester le Street CC.
The overall under-11s’ player of the season went to Sam Goodliffe of Gateshead Fell Cricket Club for scoring 99 runs in the competition - including taking 12 wickets for 36 runs in 15 overs.
Benwell Hill’s Haydon Mustard captured the third-place award at under-13 level, the runner-up accolade going to Alex Thompson of South Shields Cricket Club.
Gateshead Fell also took the honours for the under-13s’ player of the season award, which went to Harvey Wake after scoring 103 runs and bagging 11 wickets.
In the under-15s’ section it was Luke Husband of Hetton Lyons who claimed the third-place accolade for scoring 110 runs in three games - taking six wickets in the process.
Willington cricketer Will Beanland was runner-up after he notched 111 runs including 82 in the final.
The overall under-15s’ player of the season was Joe Defty, who had an allround impressive campaign.
Defty amassed 235 runs in three innings - including an unbeaten 100, 75 and 60 - in addition to claiming 5-51 in 12.4 overs.