YOUNGSTERS from five of the district’s schools have been showcasing their cricketing skills.

They took part in the West Northumberland Chance to Compete Softball Competition, at Stocksfield Cricket Club.

The unisex tournament, for pupils in Year 7 and Year 8, included 11 boys’ teams and 11 girls’ teams from the five schools.

The A team competition was won by Ovingham Middle School, who were victorious in both boys’ and girls’ categories

Both of the Ovingham teams remained unbeaten, and won all of their matches, to secure their places at the county finals, which will also take place at Stocksfield Cricket Club, on June 17.

Corbridge Middle were runners up in both boys and girls A team competitions.

In the B team competition, Hexham Middle School’s Year 7 side won the boys tournament, while in the girls event, there was more success for Ovingham Middle.

The Northumberland Cricket Board’s cricket development officer for the west of the county, Tom Cant, said: “Throughout the day there was no shortage of fantastic skills on show.

“There were plenty of big hits, lots of wickets, and some fantastic catches and diving stops.”

Pupils from St Joseph’s Middle School, in Hexham, and Prudhoe’s Highfield Middle School, also impressed at the tournament.