East Lancashire junior Cricket is celebrating success at the first ever county six-a-side finals - Darwen Cricket Club under 15s were crowned champions and East Lancs under 13s and Darwen under 11s finished as runners-up in their respective age groups.

East Lancashire have lead the charge in the exciting small sided game.

The Blackburn and Darwen Cricket Development Group is believed to be the first of is kind in the country to hold the event which was first held at Darwen Leisure Centre in 2000.

Matthew Grant, chairman of junior cricket at Darwen Cricket Club believes six-a-side cricket is the way forward. He said: "We are lucky to have a strong youth set-up at Darwen but six-a-side cricket is definitely the way to attract more youngsters to the game.

"It is a very fast game and is very enjoyable to watch.

"We played in the close season last year and it was no coincidence that we did so well in the 11-a-side game.

"The game helps fielders, bowlers are more accurate with shorter run-ups and batsman improve their stroke play.

"At the beginning of the season some of our opponents did not know what had hit them."

Darwen under 15s, East Lancs under 13s and Darwen under 11s all won their local age groups to qualify for the Lancashire finals at Preston College.

And representing the borough, Darwen under 15s swept to success with wins against Fulwood and Broughton and Leyland and Farrington to claim the inaugural title.

Against Fulwood and Broughton, Grant Lawrenson was the pick of the batsmen scoring 35 runs.

In the second game Darwen were always on top against Leyland and Farrington as another outstanding bowling and fielding exhibition left Leyland reeling on only 104 from the allotted 9 overs.

In reply, Darwen cantered home with Grant and Tom Lawrenson adding 16 runs, Brown and Drugan 29 and Greg Lawrenson and Cranage scoring 10.

Darwen Cricket Club Junior Section outdoor training starts on Wednesday, April 17 from 6.30-8pm for boys and girls aged eight to 15 at the Birch Hall Ground.

Registration Night on April 10 from 6.30-8pm.