Graeme Cessford was on top of the world this week after being crowned the fastest bowler in the North-East.

Graeme won a nervy Grand Final for the Power Cricket Speed Challenge in front of a 4,000 plus crowd at Durham's Riverside ground.

The event, live on Sky TV, saw Graeme deliver a fastest ball of 81.3 mph. But, surprisingly, the 19-year-old admitted he was slightly disappointed with his effort, having hoped he would break the 85mph barrier.

He said: "It was great to win the challenge, but I would have liked to have bowled faster.

"There were a lot of nerves, but fortunately I held mine enough to win it." Graeme, whose fast-bowling hero is Australian Brett Lee, hopes his success will lead to greater things. This season, an injured hip has limited his appearances for Gateshead Fell having moved there from Tynedale, but the ambitious bowler wants to progress into the ranks at Durham CCC.

"My real dream is to get into the Durham Academy," said Graeme, who lives in Hexham.

"I'm at the age now (19) where time is running out to get in the Academy."

Category winners landed a coaching session with Durham CCC staff, but Graeme did not win his heat so missed out.

He said: "I've spoken to Durham and hopefully something can be arranged so I can get some help from their coaching staff.

"But my dream is a place in the Academy."

The Power Cricket Speed Challenge was a great success with nearly 150 people entering to test their arm against the clock.

The heats took place over two days in the nets at the Riverside using a Test approved speed gun.

In the under 12 category Graham Brinton from Stanley who plays at Annfield Plain clocked an impressive 67.6 mph, not far behind Scott Davison from Middle Herrington who won the under 15 section with a ball of 69 mph.

Luke Anderson a 15-year-old from Philadelphia CC won the under 18 competition with a lightning delivery of 77 mph that helped him through to the grand final.

The fastest senior in the heats was losing finalist Alex Brown from Stocksfield who plays at Newcastle CC clocking in at 84mph.

A large crowd gathered around the wicket for the grand final to see Alex Brown, Graeme Cessford (Gateshead Fell CC), John Gill (South Northumberland CC), Luke Anderson and Martin Jones (Wolviston CC) compete for the title.

The standard was high during the final but Graeme came away as a worthy winner and took the trip to Amsterdam to see the Power Cricket match between Asia and the Rest of the World.