MONMOUTH Cricket Club celebrated another hugely successful junior cricket season last week, with a packed out pavilion at the awards evening at the Sports Ground.

Chairman and vice-chairman Mike Maguire and Steve Gale hosted proceedings which celebrated the achievements of the junior cricketers throughout the season. Under nine coach Liam Stubbs started off by mentioning the progress made by his side in the Herefordshire Under Nines league and how well the team came across not only through the way they played their cricket but also in their exemplary behaviour. Under 11 team manager Mike Maguire mentioned that despite a tough season in the Gwent Under 11 Premier League, progress had been made by all, with the side finishing a respectable fifth place out of nine teams in the end.

Under 13 and under 15 team coach Paul Swingwood then went on to talk about the remarkable season had by the under 13s which saw them Gwent Under 13 Premier League champions and also Gwent Under 13 Cup winners for the first time in the club’s history, an achievement which saw them go an impressive 12 games unbeaten throughout the season.

At under 15s the side finished a very respectable second place in the Premier Under 15 League with an excellent record of five wins and just one defeat across the season, with many of these boys and girls playing first, second or third XI senior cricket as well this summer. In addition to this the club has provided several boys and girls to go on and play at representative level this season, with Ben Pilot (Gwent under 14), Ben Davies (Gwent and Wales under 14), Alfie Robinson (Gwent under 13), Oliver Berry (Gwent under 13), Sam Swingwood (Gwent under 13), Joe Harris (Gwent under 13), Catrin Watkins (Wales under 12 Girls) and Owen Harris (Gwent and Wales under 11) all performing admirably for their respective sides.

A spokesperson from the club said: “The club would like to extend its thanks to Del Harris and Laura Swingwood for providing a delicious curry on the evening, and also Brian Bond and Monmouth Town FC for accommodating us at the Sports Ground. A huge thanks as well must go to Liam Stubbs, Mike Maguire, David Teague, Paul Swingwood and Rob Pilot for all their help and assistance in running and coaching the teams this year.” 

Anyone interested in playing junior or senior cricket for Monmouth, winter nets and indoor matches will be starting up soon so contact [email protected] for more information.

List of all prize winners: Under nine Girl Player of the Year - Lauren Maguire; Under nine Boy Player of the Year - Patrick Stubbs; Under nine Most Improved Player - William Frost; Under 11 Bowling Award - Callum Uttley; Under 11 Batting Award - Jake Teague; Under 11 Most Improved player - Callum Foster; Under 11 Breakthrough player - Megan Maguire; Under 13 Batting Award - Oliver Berry; Under 13 Bowling Award - Owen Harris; Under 13 Most Improved Player - Joe Harris; Under 15 Player of the Season - Sam Swingwood; Chairman’s Junior Player of the Year Award - Owen Harris.