Bermuda’s youth cricket leagues have started with matches across four age groups. Here is a look at the players and teams who have caught the eye.

Y7 League

The U7 youth cricket season has got off to an excellent and exciting start, with young players enthusiastically embracing the game and showing tremendous energy.

At this important grass roots level, the focus is on introducing children to the fundamentals of cricket while creating a positive and enjoyable environment where they can develop a love for the sport.

The league currently features six teams (Somerset CC, Warwick Cricket Academy, Cleveland CCC, Flatts CC, Western Stars CC and Bailey’s Bay CC) and after six matches played so far, the competition has already produced plenty of excitement and memorable moments.

Families, coaches and supporters have all enjoyed watching the young cricketers learn new skills and experience the thrill of match play. More importantly, the players are gaining valuable experience in batting, bowling, fielding and understanding the basic rules of the game in a fun and supportive setting.

Matches are held on Friday evenings, creating a wonderful atmosphere for the cricket community to come together and support the next generation of players.

U9 League

The U9 youth league is under way, with six teams actively playing matches, and there are potential for additional clubs to form teams or join forces to create more playing opportunities. The players have been enthusiastic during the matches, with some promising displays of batting, bowling and fielding from our future generation of stars. The active clubs include Somerset CC, Warwick (3 teams), Western Stars & Bailey’s Bay, with Cleveland hopeful of joining the match schedule.

A highlight of the U9 league is the inclusion of the only all-girls team in the BCB youth leagues, with Warwick Girls playing fixtures against their male peers. The hope is that their involvement will help entice more girls to take up the sport and in the near future we envision a dedicated league comprising all-girls teams.

A total of three rounds of fixtures have been completed to date and while the weather has not always been co-operative, clubs are working together to reschedule matches that have been rained out.

Results

Warwick I (109-9 from 15 overs) vs Western Stars (118-2 from 15 overs). Warwick I MVP Zakai White (22 not out). Western Stars MVP Gavin Manders (8 not out, two wickets for six runs, three catches)

Somerset vs Warwick II — postponed due to weather

(Week II) — All matches postponed due to rain

Bailey’s Bay (107 from 15 overs) vs Western Stars (110 from 11 overs). Bailey’s Bay MVP Zorrin Rogers (21 runs). Western Stars MVP Massai Wilson (23 runs and one wicket).

Warwick I (150-3 from 15 overs) vs Warwick II (58-2 from 15 overs). Warwick I MVP Oscar Davidson (22 not out). Warwick II MVP Logan Holder (2 wickets)

Somerset (52-1) vs Warwick Girls (21-5). Somerset MVP Caiden Minors and Warwick Girls MVP Tilly Troughton.

U12 League

Hard Ball features seven teams:- Somerset CC, Western Stars CC, Saltus CC, Cleveland County CC, Warwick Cricket Academy, Southampton Rangers CC, Bailey’s Bay CC.

Soft Ball features six Teams: Somerset CC, Western Stars CC, Flatts Victoria CC, Cleveland CCC, Warwick Cricket Academy, Devonshire Rec CC.

U12 hard ball results

May 2: Somerset 106-9; Saltus 107-7 (Saltus won by 3 wickets). MSomerset MVP Gerard Burchall (five wickets). Saltus MVP Eben Ooshuizen (over 60 runs)

May 9: Saltus 153-2; Somerset 113-5 (Saltus won by 40 runs). Somerset MVP Karter Riley. Saltus MVP Eben Ooshuizen.

May 16: Western stars 120-7; Saltus 118-8 (Western Stars beat Saltus by two runs). Western Stars MVP Rai Edness. Saltus MVP William Felix.

May 16> Cleveland County 122; WA 123-6 (WA beat Cleveland County by four wickets). WA MVP Jaden Walrond took four wickets and scored 14 not out. Cleveland MVP Koa Stovell scored 27 runs and claimed 2 wickets

Soft ball results

May 16 Cleveland County 130-4; Warwick 82. Cleveland MVP Theo scored 30 Runs. WA MVP. Tanner for a spectacular catch

U15 League

The BCB U15 youth league season has seen teams showing up with growing numbers, which is good to see as this age group can be hard to field teams. There are six teams entered: Bailey’s Bay CC, Cleveland County CC, St. George's CC, Somerset CC, Southampton Rangers CC and Warwick Cricket Academy Red and Blue teams.

Last weekend featured a few worthy mentions. Cleveland County duo Koa Lightbourne and Mcaiz produced a 150-run partnership against Somerset with Lightbourne scoring 76 not out and Trott 68 not out. Lightbourne was named MVP as he also picked up three wickets to go alongside his batting.

Somerset’s Izaiah Atwell was deemed MVP after scoring 40 runs. Also in the East End St George’s took on Somerset with Devonte Binns named MVP after making 89 runs and taking 1 wicket.

Somerset also took on Warwick with Riley Martin getting a fifty and Cillian McGlynn taking MVP.

Just over the hill at Rangers, Cleveland County lost the toss and was sent in to bat. They were all out for 152 after 20 overs and Southampton Rangers CC replied with 20. Cleveland MVP Trott scored 36 runs and took 5 wickets with Rangers MVP Javai taking three wickets.

Matches are played at various venues through the week with U7 matches taking place on Fridays at 6pm at Warwick Academy, Flatts, Somerset, West Pembroke, Cleveland, Baileys Bay

U9 matches are played on Mondays at 5.30pm at Francis Patton, Warwick Academy, Somerset, Southampton Rangers, West Pembroke, Harris Bay and Northlands

U12 matches ares scheduled for Saturdays at 9:30am with Saltus, Warwick Academy, Shelly Bay, Somerset, Baileys Bay and West Pembroke fields used

U15 teams play on Saturday afternoon at 2:30pm with Shelly Bay, Warwick Academy, Saltus, Somerset and Southampton Rangers as venues