MONMOUTH Cricket Club's Ben Davies has capped a tremendous season by helping Gwent Under-11s to the Welsh Championship title.

Ben, who lives in Wyesham, bagged 1-8 from four overs in Gwent's five-wicket win over Eryri in the final at Newport.

Ben has also starred off the field, picking up two special accolades at Gwent's end-of-season awards evening. He was named as Gwent Under-11s' parents' player of the year and also the players' player of the year.

It has been a fantastic summer for the left-arm spinner, who has become the first player to gain national honours since Monmouth Cricket Club returned to the Cricket Wales fold two years ago.

Ben broke into the Wales Under-11 team this summer, playing matches for Graham Burgess' side against Somerset and Herefordshire.

He is the son of former Monmouth first-team wicketkeeper Jonathan Davies and finished the season with 46 wickets at a cost of just 11.76 runs per wicket.

Ben, who has just started at Monmouth Comprehensive School, played a total of 17 representative games, snapping up 26 wickets at 10.8.

Meanwhile, another Monmouth Cricket Club youngster, Sam Swingwood, has been chosen for Welsh trials next month.

Sam, who bowls leg-spin, will be having trials for Wales Under-11s in October after an outstanding summer with Gwent Under-10s.

He finished as the leading wicket-taker for Gwent Under-10s with 16 victims.

The Osbaston School pupil also had a successful end-of-season festival for Gwent in Aberystwyth, taking 4-14 and 3-32.

Monmouth Cricket Club will soon be putting forward players for winter county training and are hoping that more youngsters from the area can gain recognition. Call Jon Despontin on 07966 015609 or email [email protected]">[email protected]