AN Urmston cricketer has been recognised by league officials for helping the UCG side back into the top-flight of the Vivio Cheshire League.

Callum Parkinson was involved in the thrilling last ball drama when Urmston sealed a one-wicket victory against Weaverham to leapfrog Sale CC to the runners-up spot and promotion to the Premier Division.

The 18-year-old made a telling contribution during the season scoring 992 runs with the bat and also chipping in with 60 wickets.

Last week, at the league awards night he won the Vivio Cheshire County Cricket League Young Player of the Year.

Speaking from Australia where he is playing with fellow Urmston player Brad Yates at Mount Waverley CC in Melbourne.

He said: "I am delighted to win the award, I think my brother (Matt – who also plays at Urmston) won it a few years ago so I am very pleased my hard work has had some success."

Parkinson believes the season finale was a perfect way to end the campaign.

He said: "It was a hard season and we made it difficult for ourselves, but to get promoted with such a young squad was brilliant.

"We had a tight knit group of players and everyone was pulling in the same direction and with a young side we were quite fearless and played some good cricket.

"The highlight game was obviously the last game, needing 44 with a wicket left and 3.3 overs left, then 19 of the last over, eight off two and a six to win of the last ball was superb and showed the character we had to never give up

"We had a fresh team and to be fair credit has to go to the four young lads and especially the other three, Callum Turner ending up with 900 runs, Matt taking 70 wickets and Bradley hitting more than 550 runs really set the cornerstone for promotion."

Parkinson admits he is loving life with Mount Waverley CC.

He said: "Australia is going well, we had Day One of our first game at weekend and I am currently nine not out but have to wait till next Saturday to have Day Two."