Mill Hill Village Cricket Club's annual juniors presentation took place on Friday, July 7, recognising the outstanding achievements of young players.

Director of Cricket Philip Smith presided over the informal ceremony at the club's Burtonhole Lane home under beautiful evening sunshine, presenting player of the season awards to under 11s, under 13s, under 15s, and under 17s as well as commemorative medals to all players, in front of many parents and guardians.

Check out all the photos from the night in our special picture gallery

Smith expressed his satisfaction with the 2023 season, highlighting the primary goal of ensuring children's enjoyment of the sport.

Smith said: "It’s been another fantastic season of juniors cricket at the Village. All the kids have enjoyed themselves, which is absolutely the main outcome we look for. All the teams bar one have been competing in the top divisions - it’s tough going sometimes but they’ve all won their fair share of games and managed to stay in their division, with the exception of the under 15s.

Among the standout performers, the under 11 team [pictured with Smith above] won praise for their commendable run in reaching a cup final, narrowly missing out on victory against Winchmore Hill. Their performances showcased their potential and left a lasting impression on all who watched them.

"The under 11s were probably the standout team this season," Smith said. "They got to a cup final and just narrowly lost that one and overall had some excellent performances."

Dhruv Jain, a long-serving junior player, was honoured with the prestigious President's Cup. Smith commended Jain's dedication and leadership, both on and off the field, remarking on his impressive growth as a cricketer and a young individual. Jain's transition to adult cricket so far has been smooth, and his achievements have made him a role model for his peers. Smith concluded by acknowledging the well-deserved recognition Jain received for his tireless efforts.

Smith said. “Dhruv's been around at the club for about 10 years now as a junior. It’s been fantastic to watch his development as a cricketer and young man. His parents have got a kid to be proud of. He’s a great leader on and off the field, he sets a great example and works hard at his game. He’s already transitioning into adult cricket successfully and he’s a credit to his family and the club. So this is a well deserved award for his efforts.”

The juniors' presentation provided a moment of celebration and reflection, highlighting the talent and camaraderie that permeates MHVCC's junior cricket program. As the club looks to the future, it remains confident in the continued success and development of their promising young players, which is crucial to the ongoing success of MHVCC.

Players of the season
U11: Arthur Hickey
U13: Abdul Aziz Mangal
U15: Hasan Ather
U17: Jaykrishna Rajput
President's Cup: Dhruv Jain