Stuart Walker is certainly making a name for himself with his batting performances and in the last week scored three successive centuries.

The Hetton Lyons youngster hit 104 in the Durham Senior League junior division game against Sunderland and followed up by making an undefeated 148 for Durham County in the match with Northumberland.

More runs flowed from the bat of the talented youngster last Sunday morning when he hit 141 not out in the Durham Senior League under-15 cup tie at home to Burnmoor.

In total, he scored 393 runs and was only out once. Now virtually a regular in the Hetton Lyons first team, Stuart played for Durham County seconds against Durham University at the start of the season and was selected for one Durham Academy game but did not bat when the match was abandoned.

"My dad Trevor plays for the club and my uncle Paul is captain.

"I have been watching and playing at Hetton Lyons since I was about five. My grandad George used to take me along.

"He used to help out and my grandma still runs the shop so I am certainly from a cricketing background," said Stuart who attends Hetton Comprehensive School.

"I am disappointed I have not made the England under-15 squad this season. Last year I got into the last 22 and thought I had a good chance of being named this time around," added Stuart.

He says that his first ambition is to do well for Hetton Lyons this season and play for the North of England under-15s. Stuart would also like to join Durham Academy and eventually play for the County.

"It must be every youngster's dream to be signed up by Durham and play at the Riverside.

"The facilities are magnificent and I would love to be part of the set-up one day," said the highly-talented young batsman.

Katherine Chapman is keeping pace with her brother John in Consett's junior side. Last week, she claimed four wickets for 32 runs with her medium-pace bowling to record her best figures so far.

Katherine plays in the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Junior League having graduated from the under-13s.

"My dad has played for Consett for a long time and from as early as I can remember, I went to Blackfyne with my mam, who made the teas.

"I have been brought up on cricket and love playing," said the 16-year old who is now attending college in Durham after leaving Moorside Comprehensive school.

"I first played in the under-13 team when I was just 11 and also turned out for the under-15s. Now, I am a regular in the under-18 junior side. It doesn't bother me that I am the only girl playing with ten lads. Sometimes I get a look when they see me appearing but more and more girls are playing the game and all I want to do is to enjoy myself," added Katherine.

Besides playing for Consett, Katherine is also involved with Shotley Bridge ladies and Durham County ladies.

"We are a cricketing family," said mother Lesley. "John, who captains the under-18 team and Lesley have been brought up in the game. Bob played for Consett on a regular basis but now just turns out when needed but we all love cricket and her dad and I are delighted that Katherine is involved with this wonderful game," said Lesley. "But we'd be delighted if she was involved in any sport.

"We have encouraged both John and Katherine to be involved in team games and it is good for them to be competitive."