Some news......

I thought I'd just pop in with some news, some very good news in fact. I'm going to be a boastful Mum, so click away now if you like!

 You may remember this post from a year ago, Trials and Tribulations,
which was about the County Cricket Trials

 for both my boys.
 

 It's always a tricky time as both boys have tried to get into the County team since they were battling for a place in the under 10's side.
 

Number 1 son has always been a great player but suffered from nerves every time he went into trial. It can be a very daunting experience and as he was our first (and the first to trial from their cricket club) no one really knew what to expect; he wasn't really very well prepared in those early years.

Number 1 son was always quite small for his age and although he was skilful he didn't have great strength. Every year he came home down hearted
 although he always told me it had gone ok

 (his Dad standing behind him, unseen, showing me a thumbs down!).

 

It's probably politically incorrect to say this (although I'm sure it's relevant to lots of sports) but it also seemed that you could be welcomed into the squad on things other than talent - namely money, coming from the right school, the right club etc etc,
and we were none of those things.

 

Anyway year on year he insisted he wanted to try again, this was made all the harder when his younger brother got in on his second attempt. We have to give him credit for his tenacity, he's always supported his brother and never once had a cross word
about his cricket achievements.

 

Last year it all seemed to come together for him, he'd grown to 6' and was a lot stronger. And every session he went to seemed to go well, he played his socks off at every trial! Husband was excited, we all were, this was his year!
Then he wasn't chosen.....
Two of the coaches told The Builder later (confidentially)
 that they'd wanted number 1 son in the squad but were over ruled!

Anyway he decided to try this year, I have to say I didn't want him to, one last time before he's only
eligible for senior cricket.

The first trial for the under 19's went well, .......
....and then they offered him a place in the squad!
No more sessions necessary!

We're over the moon for him, all that effort, practice and perseverance has paid off..... I'm so proud!



Learning the correct grip, age 2 - note the regulation footwear!





 



Going for his very 1st trial, age 9

Taller than his Dad, age 17 - wearing his lucky Aussie hat!


 So now he's going to show them what they've been missing in their squad
for the last 8 years!