Darlington CC'S finest Junior cricket team ever is celebrating after scooping a hat-trick of trophies over the past five months.

The successful Under-11 squad claimed the North Yorkshire Area Cricket Council League title in impressive style by remaining unbeaten for the entire season.

In the League of ten teams, Darlington won 16 of their 18 matches and were halted only by the weather in their remaining two fixtures.

And, while buzzing from the remarkable feat in the NYACCL, the talented crop of youngsters went on to lift the Gemara Trophy and they were named the Team of the Month for September by the Darlington Sports winners scheme.

Like the League, the Gemara Trophy was also won in some style on August 30 at their home ground, Feethams.

Darlington played both the semi-final and final on the same day and they did not lose a wicket in either contest against Norton and Middlesbrough respectively.

Team coach John Lister - himself a former cricketer with Derbyshire and Durham - has been thrilled to see his youngsters do so well.

"It really has been a tremendous season and it has filled me with a lot of pride," said the 43-year-old.

"My son, Steven Lister, plays for the team and he was named man of the match in the final by the umpires after he took four wickets for five runs.

"So I was very proud to see them lift all three trophies."

Over the course of their triumphant campaign Steven Lister, Adam Fenwick, Ian Wilson, Liam Coates and William Manners were all included in the Durham County side Under 11s.

But those five were always helped along by their teammates, who all excelled during the eight-a-side campaign. James Sutton, Matthew Wheeler, Thomas Chapman, Jim Stokell, George Bryant and James Dobson all played their part.

Next season they will step up to Under-13 level and coach Lister said: "I'm sure they will be able to enjoy another good year.

"They all player well together and they have been playing in the same team for a number of years.

"They may be stepping up an extra age group but I'm sure they'll be able to cope."