Cambridge school children help Cokenach Cricket Club’s junior section to enjoy positive 2023 season

Cokenach Cricket Club’s juniors have been celebrating a 2023 season to remember.

Covid-19 forced the club, which is based near the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire border, to disband its youth section.

However, it was resurrected two years ago with around 60 youngsters – the majority of whom attend schools in Cambridge – signing up.

And success has followed with the under-13s and under-14s being crowned champions, while the under-11s completed a league and cup double.

A girls’ team also reached the quarter-finals of a national competition, while Olivia Rolls made her full Hertfordshire debut alongside becoming the first girl ever to top the Hertfordshire Junior Mixed League run charts. Her return of 1,262 runs saw her finish ahead of more than 1,500 cricketers.

Such results have not gone unnoticed, with Cambridgeshire, Essex and Surrey joining Hertfordshire in coming calling for a number of players.

George Gangadharan, who is a committee member and oversees the junior section, said: “It’s been fantastic to have junior cricket back at the club.

“We’re fortunate to have such an idyllic setting, it’s one the best grounds locally and the kids are lucky to be able to play there.

“The success this season has been unprecedented. Success breeds success and we’ve had a lot of people show an interest in joining the club.

“Most of the players live in and around Cambridge and we’ve got a mixture of pupils from independent and state school children. We have an affordable for all mantra and run bursaries to help people.”

The juniors are already undergoing winter training sessions at The Leys School in Cambridge, with sessions taking place four days a week due to demand.