Ross Cricket Club held its annual Junior Awards Presentation on Wednesday, September 5th following a popular Cricket Olympics, where mixed age-group teams competed in a variety of cricket-specific skills.

It was a perfect late summer's evening and the BBQ and goodies were enjoyed by over 100 members who attended.

The club's junior co-ordinator, Stuart Mair thanked all members of the coaching team, including assistant coaches and the Young Leaders who have all had to work incredibly hard in 2012 as the wettest season on record for 100 years severely disrupted fixtures across all the age groups.  

Stuart also thanked the junior players and their parents for their understanding and patience in the face of the challenges that the weather presented and praised their continued support for the club.

This season the club celebrates its 175th anniversary and he reflected on the highs and lows of such a significant year.  He said that the highs significantly outweighed the lows. The First XI had secured promotion with nine of the 11 senior players coming through the junior section at Ross which was a great achievement.

The U15s were in contention for the league title and the U9s had won their respective league effortlessly. The U11 and U13s had competed well in their age groups and the girls were also competing in two league teams at U11 and U13s too.  

This all served to demonstrate the depth and strength of the club. Philip Davies is a new recruit to the U9s coaching team this season working alongside Lead Coach, Brian Nixon. Philip gave a brief synopsis of this talented group's exploits during 2012 which culminated in winning the U9 Herefordshire Cricket League title. Philip presented awards to Harry Friend (batting), Ethan Lerego (bowling) and Alexander Springer (Coaches' player).

Joe Hiram, Lead Coach for the U11s, an experienced player with a wealth of cricketing knowledge, gave his report on the season which had been hit by the most challenging weather conditions he had ever experienced.  The U11 teams play in the Herefordshire Cricket Junior League, the Leadon Vale Youth Cricket League and the Gloucester Cricket Junior League.  

Joe Hiram also ran through notable performances from the U11 boys and Edward Mayell won the batting award with Ollie O'Neill being awarded best bowler.

In the Girls section, Vanessa Ball presented U11 awards to Ellie Lown for bowling. Jessica Moroney for batting and Isla Kendall won the Coaches' Award.

Richard Jeffryes then gave an account of the U13s season. The team had played consistently well. George Nicolson was presented with the bowling award, Callum McIntosh won the batting award and the irrepressible Luke Bailey won the coach's award for Most Improved Player.

In the U13 girls, Jessica Element won the bowling award. Shannon Comfort won the batting award and Olivia Tittley-West won the Coaches Award.  

The Girls U15s awards were presented to Daisy Nicolson for bowling, Hannah Hayes for batting and Emily Mince won the Coaches' Award, which was presented to her younger brother Billy in her absence.

Therese Warwick, Lead Coach for Girls cricket thanked Vanessa for her energy and commitment in the 2012 season. Running two girls' teams in the Leadon Vale League had been a challenge but the girls were always striving to improve and were hugely committed to training. Their enthusiasm inspired their coaches.

The U15s awards will be presented at the 175 gala dinner. In a break with club tradition, the U7 junior members had been presented with commemorative Olympic Medals at their Disco on Friday, August 31st in Ross Sports Centre.

Ross Cricket Club would like everyone for their continued support in their 175th anniversary year.