THE manager of Cumbria u17's cricket squad has heaped praised on his team after they won their division of the ECB U17 County Championship.

With 83 points from their four two-day matches they cannot be overtaken by Leicestershire & Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northumberland or Scotland. The last time this age group won the league was in 2005.

Arthur Brown, manager, said: "This group of players have put in a great deal of effort and commitment not only in the County Championship matches but also at winter training sessions. Winning the league is just reward for them all for such commitment and dedication. Personally it has been a pleasure to have been these lads manager."

The division began back in early July when Cumbria's spinners Liam Trevaskis and Matthew Sempill bamboozled Northumberland at Whitehaven CC to help secure 24 points with an outright win by an innings and 11 runs.

Pacemen had more success in the second match against Scotland at Sedbergh School with Lewis Smith, of Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, taking three wickets.

Matthew Sempill (102), Chris McBride (87) and James Lythgoe (32 no) were able to take full advantage of the good batting surface to contribute to the 19 points accumulated for a first innings win.

The third match against Lincolnshire took place at Netherfield CC on July 21/22.

The fast and slow bowling attacks were fairly even-stevens here, with pacemen James McGown and Smith taking ten wickets between them and spinners Sempill, Thompson and Trevaskis and taking nine.

Opening batsmen McBride and Davidson got the Cumbrian innings off to a flying start with scores of 85 and 86 as they helped the side over the 300 runs mark to add maximise batting points and another first innings win.

Hinckley Town CC, where Leicestershire Second XI play some of their matches, was the venue for the last two day match on July 28/29 and Cumbria romped home to secure 18 points to put the division out of reach.

Coach Chase Young said: "The set of players in this year’s U17 group demonstrated a mature attitude towards the game, which I feel impacted greatly on the outcome of matches played.

"Although there were impressive individual performances, it was always a team effort. I would personally like to thank the parents who have been understanding and supportive throughout the competition."

Cumbria U17s were not as successful in the Royal London U17 County Cup one day competition, winning against Northumberland, but losing to Leicestershire & Rutland and Lincolnshire.