Summer is the period where all football fans suffer withdrawal symptoms and young Joseph Smith from Sherburn Hill is no exception.

Northern Echo readers may remember Joseph, aged ten, as the Under-16 Local Hero Award Winner 2002, following his Cub Swimming Gala achievements.

When he is not winning tournaments single-handed; training with Durham City Swimming Club; taking part in sponsored cycle rides; and of course not forgetting; beating his Dad on Playstation, he is an avid follower of the recently-promoted Hartlepool United.

The phrase sports-mad was designed for Joseph - but then again doesn't every school kid fit in that category?

The end of the football season means he's momentarily deprived of watching live sport - so when he asked his Dad if he could go and watch a cricket match, father Paul didn't have to be asked twice.

Perhaps a full day at Durham's inaugural Test match was asking a bit too much as an introduction to the game. The Twenty20 seemed a perfect introduction.

Smith Snr immediately bought reasonably-priced tickets for the Durham Dynamos v Notts Outlaws.

The Twenty20 Cup fixture, was devised by ECB in the hope of attracting families and youngsters to cricket.

The venue was Chester-le-Street, where less than a week ago had witnessed the England v Zimbabwe Test and after pushing his way through the Riverside's modern turnstiles, Joseph excitedly took up his position in the County Stand, joining a large enthusiastic crowd of cricket fans and aficionados of all ages to enjoy a fun-filled evening with the focal point been of course cricket - a real rarity for Joseph.

Nottingham, playing in gold and black pyjamas, batted first registering 157 for 7 and Durham, playing in blue pyjamas, recorded a victory courtesy of Dynamo skipper Jon Lewis wearing the No 13 shirt to prove that Friday 13th wasn't to be unlucky, as he hit the winning runs with a four in the final over.

As with all spectator sports sustenance always plays as big a part as a swimmer's appetite and after demolishing a healthy portion of burger and chips, young Joe quipped: "Mmmm that was nice that, almost as good as the burgers at Victoria Park"

The final verdict of the refreshing father and son bonding session relaxing on a balmy summer's evening, accompanied by the sound of leather against willow, was summed up as Durham closed in on the 158 target with Joseph exclaiming: "Woah this is getting exciting, can I come to the next one?"

The length of the game is just about right for youngsters, it's short enough to keep the interest levels up. The music might not appeal to the traditionalists, but if it is all about introducing new spectators to the game, the first experiment at the Riverside has worked for this youngster.

Looks like Dad is going to have to fork out for two season tickets next year, one for Hartlepool United and one for Durham CC - at least watching football and cricket will spare him more defeats on the Playstation.