youth Cricket
Barnard Castle Cricket Club celebrated their annual junior presentation night last Friday highlighting the successful season they achieved this year.
It was a year when the club lost one of their greatest ambassadors: former junior coach, John Ashworth.
Stephen Brenkley spoke eloquently and fondly of his memory of Mr Ashworth. For many years Mr Ashworth was the key figure in helping to guide and train the stars of tomorrow. It was a role at which he excelled and to which he was tirelessly dedicated.
An award named in his honour was inaugurated – to be awarded for fair play. The inaugural John Ashworth Memorial Trophy was lifted by Charles Bennett. Mr Ashworth’s wife Eizabeth presented the trophy.
With the U12s and U13s having successful league and cup campaigns, many had contributed to the club’s success and they received their deserved praise.
Rory Metcalf received recognition of both the coaching staff and his peers, being named player of the year, and players’ player of the year for the U12s.
The votes were split evenly for players’ player in the U13s, with Oli Greves and Finlay Kirkup sharing the award.
Joe Rutherford was named player of the year after a successful season with both Barney and Durham, he also broke through into Barney’s men’s third team.
In the U17s category, the standout player for the season and almost certainly will play in senior cricket in the next few years was Max Riley-Fox.
He not only had a successful season in the junior ranks but made his first adult century with an impressive 121 not out for Barney’s second XI against Maltby in July.
The juniors will look to use this year as a springboard and continue their success into next year’s campaign.
