Young guns are a big hit at Fordhouses

Fordhouses Under-13s are the pride of Staffordshire after being crowned county champions.

The talented youngsters hit their rivals for six as they swept into the national rounds of the NatWest National Club Championship on the back of a series of impressive performances.

They lifted the silverware in front of a bumper crowd courtesy of a seven-wicket victory against Stone.

The success has left director of cricket Chris Guest bowled over and comes just five years after the club were unable to fulfil any fixtures at youth level.

Guest, who is also Fordhouses' first-team skipper, is a performance pathway officer for Staffordshire Cricket and coaches the England women's academy team.

He returned to the club five years ago with the task of implementing a youth section at the Wobaston Road outfit high on his agenda.

He said: "Five years ago we couldn't fulfil any fixtures at youth level – we had some kids down here training but not enough to field a side at any age group.

"Now we are county champions at under-13 and that's a fantastic achievement. I am really proud of the youngsters and where we are as a club now and what we have achieved.

"We have 76 kids registered and run sides at under-9, 10, 11, 13 and 15. We have invested in coaches and coaching.

"We have 12 coaches and people see that we do things a bit differently to other clubs and put a lot into developing players.

"I had to organise and do a lot the first year I came back but now we have so many coaches it's easier for me to oversee things."

The cup triumph added to the feelgood factor at the club, with the first-team currently topping the standings in Division Three of the Birmingham & District League.

Guest added: "All the first team were down supporting the lads in the final and there was a great club atmosphere. The club is in good health and it's a nice place to be.

"The last time we were county champions was 10 years ago and four of that side played for our first team last Saturday. Hopefully, some of these players will go on to play for our firsts."

The youngsters, under the guidance of manager Dave Perrin and coaches Sunny Shah and Moss Patel, beat Cannock and Dunstall on their way to the final with Stone.

And there was no sign of any nerves on the big day as they claimed an impressive seven-wicket success.

Stone were restricted to 76-9 from their 20 overs with Harjivan Dhinsay, Ryan Hughes, Cameran Patel and Zak Shah all bagging two wickets.

Vikai Dass (32), Shah (17 not out) and Patel (14 not out) then saw Fordhouses home with 11 balls to spare.

Shah added: "We had two or three hundred people watching the kids win in the final and they played really well and deserved it.

"The best part, from my point of view, about the whole thing was having such a crowd there watching and supporting the kids."

Fordhouses face the Shropshire winners away in the first regional round on July 17.