KYC Presentation Day takes place at the St Lawrence Ground

The Kent Young Cricketer“s presentation day took place yesterday before Kent“s CB40 match against Nottinghamshire at St Lawrence.

During the presentation, thanks were given to all parents and family for their continued support throughout the winter and season. KYC also thanked the various umpires, ground staff, tea ladies and scorers who all helped run such a successful programme. A big thank you was also handed out to all the coaches and managers who contribute so much time and energy in helping players develop. A final special mention went to Ray Willis, who recently won a Sky Sports Coach award.

Throughout the season there has been plenty to celebrate within the KYC system:

•U17 boys through to the ECB Cup Final having won both forms of the competition last year.

•Both the U12 and U13 teams won the Taunton festival and, earlier this month, the U13s won the ECB U13 Southern Counties League.

•We have two players who have played for England U19s against Sri Lanka so congratulations to Adam Ball and Daniel Bell Drummond, who have both progressed through the KYC pathway and were members of the Kent Academy.

•Chris Piesley who last year played in the winning 17s team made his Kent debut v Pakistan and performed well with 43 in the second innings.

•His brother, Sean, was a member of the winning U15 London and East team at the Bunbury Festival.

We would like to think that perhaps the next Joe Denly, James Tredwell, Sam Northeast, Alex Blake or Matt Coles, who have all played regularly for Kent this season, having progressed through the KYC system, are currently playing age group cricket.

Girl“s cricket remains very strong, starting with an impressive U11 programme. The girls are currently playing their last club games, and final fixtures, or are on their way to Taunton but Kent cricket recognises their tremendous achievements at age group level.

Successes include:

•U13, U15 and U17 teams through to the semi finals of the county age group ECB competition, which is a fantastic achievement.

•The senior women“s“ team are currently top of the county championship table, having won the regional round of the 20/20 ECB competition and will soon be playing in the national final. Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway remain key players within the England women“s“ set up, with Lydia on the shortlist for ICC International Women“s Cricketer of the Year.

•Tamsin Beaumont has also represented England and remains a part of the ECB Development Academy.

•Deanna Cooper, Daveena Pithia and Dee Tress have all been selected in the ECB Junior Super 4s regional competition showing that women and girls cricket remains strong in Kent.

The individual presentations were awarded as follows:

U11s
Leading run scorer: Matthew Barker
Leading wicket taker: Jan Gray
Fielding: Nathan Baxter

U12 Emerging Spitfires
Leading run scorer: Kai Appleby
Leading wicket taker: Freddie Brushett
Fielding: Ian McLean

U13
Leading run scorer: Piers Richardson
Leading wicket taker: Ben Johnson
Fielding: Michael Waller

U14 Emerging Spitfires
Leading run scorer: George Baker White
Leading wicket taker: Christian Stent and Harry Chapman
Fielding: Matt Hammond

U15
Leading run scorer: Sean Piesley
Leading wicket taker: Jack Laraman
Fielding: Jack Laraman

U17 (still undecided because there is one match to go. The contenders are as follows)
Leading run scorer: Charlie Nash or Fabian Cowdrey
Leading wicket taker: Ben Kemp or Fabian Cowdrey
Fielding: Tom Chapman or Lorne Burns

The girls and the women will hold a separate presentation evening later in the year.

Picture:David Turner