Despite the inclement weather the 2002 Corner Cricket competition eventually took place, and though not a full programme was possible at least some cricket was played.

County Youth Development Officer Pete Sanderson told me: "As a result of the Corner Cricket competition a number of young cricketers have emerged, and we have been able to have a further look at them in a longer game situation. Some of them have certainly made their mark in the longer game and they will be followed up."

The main competition was hampered severely by the weather with only 6 matches out of the 30 being played. There was a rearrangement of the various age groups to play shorten matches which were either 20 or 25 overs in length with hope for good weather! In all but the under 12s these were completed.

The South West appeared to dominant proceedings winning four age groups but in 3 cases this was only on points difference, with wins being level. The North West went unbeaten in the under 15s to make sure the South West did not complete a monopoly.

UNDER 11

This was kindly hosted by Timsbury CC and saw a victory in a thrilling climax for the South West area. They required victory in their last match over the North East, this was achieved by only 5 runs after they set a target of 82 in 20 overs to win, thanks mainly to 45 not out by Chris Skidmore. Henry Thomas's 49 was in vain as they fell 5 runs short. Other notable performances came from Ross Jenkins with a match winning 34 not out, helped by Luke Wilkinson 20, Josh Beal contributed 34 all for the South East. Chris Dent made the only telling performance for the North West with 38 in their only victory. Following this day Henry Thomas, Daniel Tompkins, Chris Skidmore, Luke Wilkinson and Jack Waller have been given the chance to represent the county. The final table read as:

TEAM        P      W      L     C     PTS
SOUTH WEST  3      2      1     0      6
NORTH EAST  3      2      1     0      6
SOUTH EAST  3      1      2     0      3
NORTH WEST  3      1      2     0      3

** South West won by beating the North East

UNDER 12

This age group was hit hardest by the weather with the rearranged 25 over matches being washed out, this meant they only played 1 match each. This saw victories for the North East and South West, the notable performances came from John Mould 23 not out when chasing 98. In the total of 174 the main contributions came from Chris Small, Daniel Lazaredis and James Brice to give them victory by 88 runs. This margin of victory gave the South West the title. Jason Strong, Chris Small, Matthew Green, Daniel Lazardries, Alex Field and Matthew Horsley have been given county opportunities. The table was:

TEAM        P      W      L     C     PTS
SOUTH WEST  1      1      0     2      15
NORTH EAST  1      1      0     2      14
NORTH WEST  1      0      1     2       5
SOUTH EAST  1      0      1     2       3

UNDER 13

The under 13 completed their competition in two forms, one original match each and then two 25 over matches each. Three teams managed to win 2 game apiece which meant that bonus points were essential. The South West were the eventual winners with the most notable contributions with coming from Jack Cooper 75 not out, Hugh Kelly 55 & 51, Tom Monaghan 44. In the bowling department Alex Watson and Mitch Windsor got 3 and 4 wicket hauls in the 50 over match. For the other areas Patrick Ost top scored for the North East with 69, as well as Alex Field making 49 not out. For the South East Bradley Middleton made 42 & 38, as well as Kevin Salt striking 47 and Harry Moores 36. The North West's best effort came from Garth Tiley who took 3 for 48, other players taking 3 wickets were Sam Gotley (NE), Alistair Barrowman (SE), Tom Stokes (SE) and Iain Miles (NW). Following these games a corner select side visited Gwent to give 11 players another opportunity. The table was as follows:

TEAM        P      W      L     C     PTS
SOUTH WEST  3      2      1     0      36
NORTH EAST  3      2      1     0      29
SOUTH EAST  3      2      1     0      28
NORTH WEST  3      0      3     0      16

UNDER 14

The South West took the title with three wins, again this was a mixture of 45 and 25 over matches. They had many players make significant contributions, which added to the team effort, the main ones were Charles Ridout 55 & 44, Fraser Campbell-Wilson 47 and Tom Pantlin 39, bowling wise there were 3 wicket hauls for Patrick Thomas, John Osmond and Matthew Councell. For the other areas there were two hundreds Steve Depledge 114 and Tom Bryan 100 for the North East. Tom Main 50 (NW), Joel Tratt 60 (SE) and Ted Roe 45 (NE) made good contributions with the bat. From a bowling prospective Matthew Thomas got a 5 wickets (NE), Ben Main 4 (NW), Peter Auld 4 (NE) and Craig Mawford 3 (NW). The following players will be given an opportunity at county level; Fraser Campbell-Wilson, Ashley Doyle, Nat Pepperall, Tom Main, Stephen Depledge and Charles Ridout. The table was as follows:

TEAM        P      W      L     C     PTS
SOUTH WEST  3      3      0     0      45
NORTH EAST  3      2      1     0      38
SOUTH EAST  3      1      2     0      23
NORTH WEST  3      0      3     0      19

UNDER 15

The under 15s played a round robin contest of 20 over cricket. The North West came out on top with 3 wins. There were major contributions from Shamil Ahmed 79 & 66 both not out, as well as Daniel Hawkes 46. Other batting efforts came from Richard Catchpole 63 (SW), James Snell 49 (SW), Rob Dickens 52 & 46 (SW), Jon Auld 51 (NE), Tim Lamb 53 not out (SE), Jeremy Hare 47 (NE) and Matthew Grimstead 37 (SE). As they were 20 overs matches the wicket hauls were not significant. There will be county chances for Shamil Ahmed, Jason Lane, Harold Booth and Robert Dickens. The table is as follows:

TEAM        P      W      L     C     PTS
NORTH WEST  3      3      0     0      40
SOUTH WEST  3      2      1     0      33
NORTH EAST  3      1      2     0      25
SOUTH EAST  3      0      3     0      16

Firstly I would like to thank Pete Sanderson for all his efforts, from setting up the initial trial process through to the arduous task of rearranging the competition.

All the coaches in all the areas for the indoor coaching and being with the teams on match days and particularly the area coordinators, Dan Hodges, Brian Hoyle, Justin Burke and Gregg Brown.

All the venues used which were; Kings College, Taunton, Wells Cathedral School, Kingswood School, Nailsea CC, King Edwards School, Weston Super Mare CC, Timsbury CC and Downes School.

Ian Cowley for arranging all the umpires that attended matches.

The support given by the Somerset Cricket Board, in particular Andrew Moulding.

Colin Johnson from Active Sports, for providing the caps for each area at every age group.

© SOMERSET