NatWest Club U19 T20 returns

With the Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League season getting underway this weekend our attention now shifts to the exciting NatWest Club U19 T20 competition starting on Monday, May 2.

Fifteen clubs in Leicestershire have already signed up for this year’s competition in what is the second year of the national U19 competition following its pilot in 2014.

The competition was introduced to address the needs of young people and reduce the drop-off in those aged 15-19 years old who wanted more opportunities to play cricket with their mates, the opportunity to play in coloured clothing and finally the opportunity to get involved in volunteering at their club.

The fifteen clubs competing in the LRC competition for 2016 are listed below and have been split into three divisions with each club playing each other once (either home or way). The home teams will be doing all they can to create the Matchday Experience 'Blast' atmosphere to emulate the professional game, with coloured clothing, flashing bails, music and the creation of a festival atmosphere at their club.

At the end of the league games the top placed side in each division will go through to a semi-final with the fourth semi-finalist coming from a play-off between the teams finishing second in their division. Semi-finals will be played at a club venue with a 3rd/4th play-off and the final taking place at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road on August 14, 2016. Further details about the Finals Day will be announced in due course.

Clubs will again be supported by the Play-Cricket.com website, providing players with statistics, fixtures and results. For more information go to www.ecb.co.uk/U19T20  or use #U19T20 on Twitter.

The teams registered in Leicestershire are: