A TEENAGER from North Yorkshire is continuing to make spectacular progress as a cricketer of immense promise.

Rochelle Petty, from Thirsk, is one of only two girls to secure one-year contracts with the Yorkshire Academy. She currently travels to Headingley about four times a week to receive one-to-one tuition with Yorkshire bowling coach Steve Oldham.

The contract also entitles her to regular net practice with the rest of the Academy trainees and free cricket gear.

The Thirsk School pupil, who is almost 16, was offered the contract after recording some outstanding bowling figures last season.

As captain of the Yorkshire under-15s side, she took a hat-trick in a return of 5-20 against Essex, when all her victims were bowled. She also claimed 3-7 against Derbyshire and, in an appearance for Yorkshire under-17s, took 4-9 against Cheshire.

Rochelle is the daughter of Barry Petty, who was captain of Thirsk last year in the York and District Senior League. He has been the top bowler in the league's premier division seven times during his time with the club and has also played in the Bradford League.

He is clearly delighted with his daughter's progress and said: "I am very, very pleased with her. Yorkshire say she is doing really well. They expect her to go all the way and play for England."

Rochelle is also a member of the Yorkshire senior women's squad and is training with the North of England senior squad to gain experience.

Her father added: "She is coming on in leaps and bounds. She is a real competitor, doesn't like losing and is very level-headed."

Her achievements on the cricket field at such a young age were also rewarded last year with the Wombwell Cricket Lovers Society Award, which she received from Dickie Bird.

Rochelle's athletic abilities are not confined to cricket. She is also a fine hurdler and hockey player.