By George Darwood Thursday 23rd June Captain Cook. A lot has happened since my last blog post. let's start off with the best one, meeting Alastair Cook England's cricket captain!! This was one of the highlights of my year. Earlier in the season I entered a Yorkshire Tea Young Commentator competition and I was one of the lucky 6 to be shortlisted (from over 300 people). It was held at the Kia Oval in London home to Surrey Cricket Club. When I met Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan (he also captained cricket but before I was born!), I was so shocked at how kind they both were they asked me lots about the cricket I played. Anyway, we had some tea and then we cracked on with the commentary competition. I was first up. I took a big gulp and then commentated on the remarkable Ben Stokes catch in the Ashes. Not long after, everyone had finished and the judges had to make a decision. Sadly I didn't win (the prize was to go to a Test match and go into the TMS studio) however it was still one of the best days of my life.

Not long after the amazing experience of meeting Alastair Cook, the U11 Northumberland team that I play for faced Cleveland in a county game again this time away. We bowled first this time and got them all out for 144 with the opener scoring 61 but was finally caught by Jake Robson (it was a great running catch!). Also, when Jake batted he scored 40 runs and was out caught by an even more astonishing catch in the deep. Unfortunately, we ended up losing the game to Cleveland by 18 runs (it only we had fielded better we could have won).once again, the question is Are Northumberland U11 really good enough for the county level?

Sunday 3rd July Playing the Champions. The U13 Newcastle CC WASP's side suffered an unfortunate loss away to South Northumberland - who have been champions for the last 3 years on Sunday 3rd July. WASP's bowled first and kept South Northumberland down to 155.WOW!! With George Darwood taking a wicket but also going for a couple of sixes so a mixed bag for Darwood! WASP's really would have to bat well to get anywhere close. Well young George Darwood (that's me) come into bat when the score was 27 for 1 joining the opener Frank Cook. Between them, they had added 41 runs (a good partnership against some fast hostile bowling. someone said the bowler was bowling at 70mph). George Darwood top scored with 27 runs (hitting two sixes and plenty of fours) but ended up being caught on the boundary trying to push the score along. WASP's were finally bowled out for short, but it was a good effort against the strongest team in the region! C'mon WASP's. there is always next year!

Sunday 10th July Next up Cumbria (and my mum's birthday!)

The next county game for Northumberland U11 was against local rivals Cumbria. This time, Northumberland won by 21 runs. Northumberland batted first and scored 106 in their 30 overs, with Lizzy Scott top scoring with 30 runs which was 30 more than me as I lasted just one ball (first Golden Duck of the Season!) The bowling and fielding from Northumberland was excellent and I made up for my batting with my bowling taking 2 wickets for 6 runs off my 4 overs at the end of the game to seal victory. Well done Northumberland.you are good enough for the County standard Bring on Yorkshire (GULP!!)