A group of twelve Year Seven and Eight boys from St. John's-on-the Hill, Chepstow were lucky enough to be invited to have a cricket, indoor net, session at the Taunton County Cricket ground recently, which was overseen by ex-England opening batsman Marcus Trescothick. The boys were treated to an hour and a half of nets, with Marcus deciding to give up the bat for the ball and managing to bowl his right arm offspin to some very enthusiastic boys.

After the boys showed off their talented skills, they had the privilege of having a question and answer session with Marcus in his hospitality suite overlooking the County Ground. On display in his suite, were the bats he used to score his first test match hundred and his England playing caps, which he said were awarded after every 25 test matches. He also showed his 2005 winning ashes medal and all the boys were able to have a photo with Marcus in front of the presentation case.

When asked if he would be answering an S.O.S. call from the England cricket team currently in the West Indies, Marcus replied that he would be unavailable!

Mr Jason Dobbie, Cricket Coach at St. John's said, "This was a fantastic opportunity for the boys and they had a superb day developing their cricket skills. Two votes of thanks are due for this wonderful occasion. The first to Marcus for his time and his willingness to make the day special for the boys and also a very big thank you to Graeme Matthews, a parent of the school, who organised and made the day possible."

Marcus Trescothick is pictured left with St. John's pupil Oliver Thornhill, and above with pupils from St. John's-on-the-Hill