Collecting an award for his superb performance in Willington Under-15s' Bob Pendlebury Cup semi-final was the last the last thing on Lee Tinkler's mind when he was bowled out for a duck with the first ball of the game.

But Lee more than made up for that howler when he picked up the ball. An amazing spell of quality bowling saw Lee take eight wickets for just two runs, including three maidens.

And it's that performance that earned him August's Cricketer of the Month award. Playing against Sedgefield, and with Lee out for a duck, Willington reached 96. But skipper Lee made light of the Sedgefield batsman, putting in a a match-winning performance that tipped the scales in Willington's favour. His heroics proved to be an inspiration to his team, who then went on to win the final against Esh Winning. For the 15-year-old, who attends Wolsingham Comprehensive, that display was no one-off as Lee has been in tremendous form all summer.

Reliable with both bat and ball, Lee has scored 115, 95 and several 50s over the course of the season. He has also recorded figures of 2-2 off three overs and 3-19 off 7.4 overs in a season which has seen him called upon to represent Willington's Under-18, second team and first team sides.

His form has helped Willington to three Cup Final successes - the Bob Pendlebury Cup, Matthew Oswald Just Sport and Teesside Valve Cups, beating Esh Winning in all three finals. Willington also finished top of the Northern section of the Durham County League.

Winning the Teesside Valve meant Willington qualified for a larger competition, contested by over 100 teams from across the region. And in an excellent season for Willington they reached the final again, but this time lost to Eppleton.

Lee's sporting ability isn't confined to just cricket as he's also talented footballer. Aged just five he was playing for his primary school team alongside schoolmates twice his age and size, and more recently had a trial with the Newcastle United Academy, which was unfortunately cut short because of injury. He has also spent two years with the Middlesbrough youth set-up.

Like his cricket team, Lee is also captain of his football side, Willington Under-16s, for whom he plays centre-midfield. Like his Dad, Lee is a Sunderland fan, but despite his prowess on the football field, father Michael would prefer his son to follow him into cricket.

Michael himself played for Willington's first team for three years before joining Brandon this summer as first-team captain and has taken great pride in his son's achievements.

He keeps detailed accounts of Lee's cricket statistics, but admits Lee would probably choose a football career over cricket.

"He's always been a half-decent cricketer, but he's always been more into his football," said Michael.

"If he sticks at it in both of them he could make it in either of them. But I'd prefer it if he chose cricket.

"I think he's good enough to play for the County. He was invited to County trials a few months ago, but got the message too late so couldn't go.

"Last season he had a couple of injuries playing football so he started to concentrate on his cricket a lot more.

"He wants to win everything, that's the top and bottom of it all, he doesn't like to lose. I'm the same, I like to win too!"