Our final round of Junior Cricket matches were played across the last week of July, which signalled the end of a productive 2025 season for our young players.

Here is a brief round-up of our junior teams which have represented the club proudly throughout 2025:

𝗞𝗪𝗜𝗞 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 (𝗨𝟵’𝘀)
For the first time in several years, we entered 2 teams into the DJCL U9 Festivals League.
‘Sawley A’ were made up from our more experienced members , whilst our ‘B’ side contained the younger players, starting from players just aged 5.
We regularly more than filled the 12 places available, with the B side having 7 or 8 players most weeks – but everyone who played was always able to both bat and bowl.
Whilst the league wasn’t results based, our ‘A’ side did log their results and won the majority of their 21 games, with just 2 losses in the whole season. The ‘B’ side were much less successful, but did record victories over the season.
Thank you to Achil Avasthy who took charge of our ‘A’ team throughout the year, and Clive Cartwright who organised our inexperienced ‘B’ team and ensured everyone had a good time every week. Thank you also to the various helpers through the season, with Clive’s daughter Anna giving up her free time on a Friday evening and notably warren Baldock, always on hand to help out.
Many of our ‘A’ side members will now embark on their hard-ball cricketing careers, moving up to Under 11 level, with some already having tasted some training in the nets.

𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟭’𝘀
Our entry level hardball side were placed in Group 7 of the DJCL U11 hardball league, and after a tough start to the season, the side grew in confidence and finished the season strongly – recording successive wins at the end of the season to finish the season in 5th place.
Thank you to Akhil Avasthy who once again gave up so much of his time to ensure our U11 season went smoothly, sharing his time in the junior setup with Captaining our Senior 2nd XI.
Thank you also to the helpers through the season.

𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟯’𝘀
Our Under 13’s enjoyed a tremendous season, finishing the regular season in the East Section as Runners-up, narrowly missing top spot by just 1 bonus point – and were the only side to beat eventual Champions Kimberley.
Such is the growing strength of our Junior set-up, many players involved in U13’s are actually playing in Senior Cricket on a Saturday afternoon, and this experience will help their development further, with the Club continuing to give our juniors opportunities at Senior level cricket.
One of our brightest Juniors Nathan Hardy finished top of the batting standings in the Division and 2nd in the bowling averages, and he Captained the side through the season.
Our overseas player Aidan Meyer took the team throughout the year, aided with a helping hand by our other volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Under 13’s in 2025.

𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟱’𝘀
Under 15’s is usually the final destination in Junior cricket before stepping into our senior ranks, and most players involved have played in some form of senior cricket this season.
Results-wise our U15’s improved over the course of the season, and finished the season in a respectful 6th position in the league (out of 10), recording 3 victories.
The side was Captained by Harriet Parker and on occasion Oliver Gadsby.
Thank you to David Evans who took on the role of managing the team, and organised the side thoroughly throughout.

Sadly, the end of the season marked the end of the road in junior cricket for 2 of our juniors.
Max Evans and Oliver Gadsby, who have both finished their journey in Junior Cricket, with an U17 team looking highly unlikely. Both have progressed through our junior teams and are both already regular features in our Senior teams.

A special mention to Dave O’Neal who continues to help in providing our juniors with a top quality umpire for virtually all our games.

Finally Thank you to everyone, who has helped, all the scorers, organisers, etc. Sorry to anyone who I have not mentioned! Without all our volunteers, the junior section does not operate!

All those involved, can now take a hard earned rest, (from Junior cricket at least!) and be ready to go again in 2026!

#SuperSawley