THE future of cricket in Bolton, Bury and surrounding areas looks bright after the success of a recent U11s tournament.

Bradshaw CC held their second annual six-a-side competition in glorious summer sunshine with eight teams entered the event.

Three of them came from Bradshaw (the Boom, Blast and Bomb with a Stokes brother – Tom Paddy and Danny in each team), two from Westhoughton and one each from Kearsley, Greenmount and Bury.

Each team were placed in two groups of four with the winners of each group going through to a final.

In group A the Bradshaw Boom overcame the Bradshaw Bomb, Westhoughton B and a very young and competitive Greenmount side to reach the final.

Meanwhile Kearsley won through also, proving too strong for three very good sides in Westhoughton A, Bury and the Bradshaw Blast in group B.

Kearsley benefitted from great contributions from the two sons of Bradshaw's former pro, Saeed Anwar Junior – Mo and Shaz.

All the matches were umpired by Bradshaw's junior academy and were a credit to club throughout the day.

The final was a close affair, Kearsley set a competitive 220 to win after some tight bowling and fielding by the Rigbys side led by wicketkeeper Paddy Stokes.

However, every time Bradshaw nudged ahead of the required rate during their reply, Kearsley kept taking wickets to keep them in touch and the nail-biting encounter went to the last over to decide a winner.

Nevertheless, Oliver Corris with some good running and a clever hook shot ensured the trophy stayed at the Rigbys.

The winning team included: Paddy Stokes captain and wicket-keeper, Joe Siddle, Matty Hilton, Taylor Biggar, Oliver Corris and Finn Barlow.

Tournament organiser Andy Needham said: "It was a fantastic day for all the players and their supporters.

"We have had some terrific feedback, from players, managers and parents alike.

"It gets better every year and our older junior cricketers get to experience a different side of the game, standing as umpires.

"This is the second year we have run the event and because it was so much of a success we are looking to extend it to Under-13s possibly next year too."

Needham insists this tournament shows the strength of cricket locally.

He said: "The competition could have been even stronger as Blackrod had to pull out because they were involved in the district teams who were playing on the same day.

"Bury had a few players missing while Greenmount had to bring quite a few U9s down but I was impressed with how the younger players acquitted themselves and cricket is looking good there too.

"Bradshaw had a few players away too and players who came in definitely took their chance and showed what they can do.

"Things are looking really positive and it is amazing the standard of cricket that was played.

"I think the future of cricket is healthy.

"We were also delighted that the famous banking was full of supporters with picnics and deck chairs cheering on the talented 50 or so players, some as young as seven."