MATCH REPORT: Avoncroft Under 8's performed way beyond expectations in the first festival of the season, hosted by Bromsgrove CC

JUNIORS SMASH RECORDS IN MEMORABLE 48 HOURS - Matt Croal delivers the first junior 5-wicket haul, taking 5-9 as Croft's U14s defeat Ombersley B - Louis Griffiths taking the first junior hat trick as part of a spell of 4-9 to bowl Croft's U13s to victory against Belbroughton - Matt Athey had earlier set Croft on the way to a win with a knock of 37 from 14 balls, the highest score in a junior pairs game

Shared series includes first T20 win of the season for the Under 12s - Croft lose pairs game by 43 runs, despite 2 wickets for Ellie Griffiths & 17 runs each for Jamie Stewart & Harvey Shaw - Revenge is gained in the T20 return, with Sam Taylor (31*), Louis Griffiths (30*) and Oscar Jinks (18*) leading Croft to a 7 wicket win

Under 11s beat Malvern to clinch the league title - Croft hit 166-1 in their 20 overs, their highest score of the season - Shelton (30*), Huxley (33*), Livesey (27*) & Ben Athey (27*) all impress with the bat - Rufus Cole the pick of the bowlers with 2-12

JUNIOR SUCCESS: Avoncroft Under 9's fought back for an incredible tie and a share of the trophy in the South & Central District Finals

Three defeats for U12s/U13s in county league games - Generally strong bowling performances, led by Louis Griffiths (4 wickets) and Sam Taylor (3 wickets) - Batting fails to ignite, with a partnership of 89 between Henry Jenkin & Fin Morris the only highlight