CHARLTON Down celebrated their end-of-season youth presentation at the club’s pavilion.

The youth section marked the completion of their second season with a buffet and speeches before chairman Alex Campbell congratulated the players, managers and coaches for their achievements.

These included Javed Gill, Rich Fagence, Matt Stevens, Phil Holdcroft and Jonny Oehler, who all passed their coach support workers’ qualification.

The Under-13s watched Somerset beat Middlesex in a floodlit T20 match in Taunton at the end of the season, an occasion which was thoroughly enjoyed by boys, girls and parents alike.

A visit to Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl will be organised for next season.

Meanwhile, the club entered an under-11 team and, for the first time, an under-12 team in the Under-13 West Dorset District Leagues.

Both sides completed their league fixtures, where players as young as seven were introduced to the hard ball, with the Under-11s winning three games.

The Under-12s had a great season, also winning three matches against much older and stronger opposition, losing in the semi-finals of the Dave Cheffey Trophy to eventual winners Martinstown after beating Weymouth and Portland en route.

Kevin Crane of Crane and Bishop Roofing, the youth section sponsors, was on hand to present the individual trophies.

Lead coach Tommy Tucker said: “I would like to thank the parents for transporting the children around Dorset during the summer evenings, and the managers and coaches for donating their time to help the youngsters play cricket.

“The club’s youth section is growing slowly but steadily and the improvement is there to be seen with players like Lewis Harrington and Henry Dipple representing the West Dorset District team.

“More importantly for me, as a coach, it is about the youngsters having fun and enjoying the game of cricket but increasing their skill base at the same time.

“An indicator of success is the same children coming back the following week and perhaps bringing a friend occasionally.”

The club will be running the following events and teams in 2015:

Winter indoor under-12s team in the West Dorset District League at the Osprey Leisure Centre.

Winter indoor coaching sessions starting in the first week of February for six weeks.

Outdoor coaching taking place from mid-April at the club’s ground.

An under-11 and possibly two under-13s teams.

If sufficient uptake, an under-9s softball team.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Under-11 Fielding: Finlay Morrison Batting: Charlie Hensman Bowling: Jack Harrington Coaches’ Award: Kieran Heath

Under-13 Fielding: Elliot Rossiter Batting: Ollie Moffat Bowling: Henry Dipple Coaches’ Award: Sam Hardy