Bancroft Lions Cricket Club held their second annual awards presentation evening on Saturday and chairman David Walcott says their focus must remain on playing fun, competitive cricket.

The club does not have an adult section and is the only cricket club in in the borough of Waltham Forest to do so – something Walcott is particularly proud of.

He explained: “Sometimes the kids get neglected a bit at bigger clubs because it is all about the adult teams.

“When we formed the club we decided to forget adult cricket so it is not so much of a social club; we just decided to found it so the kids can play.

“We want to keep expanding and having fun. I know people always say it is not about the winning but taking part, but for us it is about as many kids playing fun, competitive – and it is worth saying competitive – cricket as possible.

“The kids elsewhere may train a lot but they don’t always play a lot, whereas here they will,” added Walcott.

Held at the Peter May Centre, the Bancroft Lions celebrated a year in which they have become the Under-11s Indoor and Outdoor District champions, as well as Under-11 Division Two Indoor champions and runners-up in Under-11s Division Three.

Bancroft Lions also won the District Cricket Fundamentals League for the second year in succession and have supported events put on for the Alastair Cook benefit.

They have also finished as runners-up in the four county invitational indoor tournament.

The Under-11s were crowned team of the year at the prize giving, whilst Rohan Krishnamurthy won the Top Terrier award.

Ben Walcott scooped the prize for the most improved player at the club, with Louis Whalley winning the batting award, Lewis Walcott claimed the bowling award and Charlie Dobinson recognised in the fielding category.

Ethan Bell and Lewis Walcott were the Jack Petchey award winners and Jamal Richards was named as Bancroft Lions’ players’ player of the year.

There were also spirit of cricket awards for players who best represent the club’s core values of respect, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and fun for Jessica Unwin, Kartik Dara, Jamal Richards, Nathan Campbell-Miller and Jonny Hill.