THE future of cricket looks bright if the performances of many local youngsters in the BBC Sport Kwik Cricket tournament is anything to go by.

That is the opinion of Wiltshire cricket development officer Alan Crouch who helped co-ordinate the county stage of the national competition.

Priestly School, Calne, made it to the county finals before losing out to Downton for the homour of representing Wiltshire at regional level in Exmouth, Devon

Pupils from years five and six from more than 100 primary schools across the county played in the first district round.

From that stage of the competition eight schools progressed to the county finals which were held at Devizes Cricket Club on Friday.

The schools who competed in the county finals were Ruskin and Wanborough Schools (Swindon area finalists), Westbury Leigh and Staverton Schools (West Wiltshire finalists), Wansdyke School (Devizes finalists), Sarum St Paul and Downton Schools (Salisbury finalists) and Priestly School (Calne finalists).

The teams were split into two pools of four where they played off in a round-robin format.

When all the matches were played the teams who topped each pool Downton and Priestly advanced to the county final.

In a tense match Priestly just did not have enough and it was Downton who came out on top to book their place at Exmouth.

Crouch said the competition was a great way to promote the sport among local youngsters.

He said he felt the county section of the competition had been a big success in Wiltshire and wished Downton well for the next stage.

"It has been a great competition locally," he said. "We had 108 schools playing in the first round and that can only be good for the sport locally.

"From both the district and county finals day we have also picked up a lot of new young talent.

"Some of these youngsters are joining clubs which is what we are trying to help encourage."

Kwik Cricket is a simplified game of cricket for boys and girls from the age of five upwards.

It was introduced by the governing bodies of cricket the Test and County Cricket Board and the National Cricket Association.

The equipment is made from moulded plastic and is light but durable and can be used indoors and outdoors.

Teams of eight competed in two over long partnerships. The score starts on 200 and five runs are taken away for every wicket lost.

Crouch said the sport has been growing in the county for the last few years and he hopes it will continue to expand.

"This event has been run for several years now and here in Wiltshire our aim has been to increase the amount of participants each year," said Crouch.

"Last year 96 were involved and this year it's been 108 so we feel we are achieving that."Getting more kids playing cricket is what it's all about. Hopefully we can get even more involved in 2005."

Both Downton and Priestley did brilliantly to make the final but now we wish Downton all the best in the regional finals at Exmouth.Winners from the regional round will play at Test ground Trent Bridge.

For more information on getting involved with youth cricket in Wiltshire contact Wiltshire cricket development officer Alan Crouch on (07803) 281878.