AROUND 300 pupils from Hyndburn schools took part in their own version of the Cricket World Cup in scorching heat last week.

Up first, at Accrington Cricket Club, was the prestigious Year Six mixed cricket event.

14 schools entered with the prize on offer a trip to Old Trafford to play in the Lancashire Schools finals.

Following an initial group stage, Mount Pleasant and Huncoat progressed but lost out in the semi-final to last year's finalists St Marys (Oswaldtwistle) and defending champions Woodnook.

As the Accrington CC staff kept the participants refreshed, the final was played in blistering heat with Woodnook retaining their crown, joining Baxenden and St Marys who both have achieved the same feat.

Two days later, and in similar conditions, Enfield Cricket Club was the venue for the Year Five mixed event, with a trip to the Lancashire Youth Games the prize for the winning school.

The competition adopted a different format with three leagues of three schools and the three first placed teams then entered a second league to decide the overall winner.

And it was deja vu as the Woodnook team came out on top to take the Year Five crown.

The conditions were cooler for the girls only event at Rishton Cricket Club.

Six schools entered and played in a round robin format with the overall league winners taking the trophy.

Following games between Sacred Heart, Hyndburn Park, St Johns with St Augustines and St Marys (Oswaldtwistle), it was down to the final league game between Baxenden and Peel Park - the winner of the game would clinch the league.

In a tense clash, Baxenden managed to score the most runs and retained their trophy.

These event were organised by Leisure in Hyndburn Sports Development Team in partnership with the Hyndburn Cricket Development Group and the three cricket clubs.

Sports Development Officer George Cull said: "In order to run these events successfully, we needed clubs to offer their grounds and open up facilities and Rishton, Accrington and Enfield have been very supportive.

"They will hopefully benefit from attracting new young people into their club, as many people were participating in cricket for the first time."

Woodnook will take part in the Year Six finals at Old Trafford on Friday 30 June and follow that up eight days later at the Lancashire Youth Games, on Saturday 8 July.