PONTELAND Crusaders are preparing for the new season after going unbeaten for two full campaigns.

The U14 girls team won the league and two cups during 2018/19, and have been named Team of the Week. 

Teenager Daniel Craigie is a talented young sports coach, who guided a North representative hockey team to bronze at a national tournament in Nottingham. 

The multi-talented youngster has been named Star of the Week. 

A special mention goes to Hexham golfer Matty Lamb will represent England in the forthcoming European Team Championship, in Sweden. 

Tynedale cricket captain Tom Cant is also worthy of a special mention, after his second successive unbeaten century. Cant was 121 not out against Consett last Saturday. 

And Ponteland bowler Ian Smart is also worthy of mention, for his superb seven wicket haul against Tillside. 

Star of the Week for June 27 was veteran athlete Doug Maxwell, who won a gold and a silver medal at the North East Masters Athletics Championships, at Monkton. 

A team of swimmers from Hexham's One Life Triathlon Club, who gained a trio of medals at Europe's biggest open water swimming festival, in Majorca, were Team of the Week.