YOUNGSTER Matthew Fisher has a long cricket career ahead of him after becoming the youngest-ever player in the history of the York and District Senior League.

The seven-year-old has already turned out for Sheriff Hutton Bridge's Under-9s, U11s, U13s and U15s and can now add the club's second team to that list after he played in their York League division five encounter at Londesborough Park.

Bridge were short of open age players for their division one and division five matches due to the first team's triumphant appearance at Lord's in the National Village Final.

However, the club still managed to fulfil both fixtures, with Matthew - who has already showed enough talent to be invited to North Yorkshire U11s trials in January - more than making up the numbers for the 'potpourri' second team.

He might have scored only one run, being denied a second as his batting partner was guilty of a short run, but then bowled a maiden over in a bid, albeit in vain, to stop Londesborough reaching their 77 target.

The young all-rounder is part of a cricketing family. Dad Phil also played in that second team game, while brother Adam, 17, is the first-team's wicketkeeper-batsman and played in that memorable Lord's final.

Another brother, Mark, 13, plays for the club's U13s and also for Easingwold School in the team that won the Yorkshire Post Cup final at Headingley.

Said Matthew: "I had a game for the U13s in the Plate Cup final at Bishopthorpe, which we won, and I fielded for an U15s game until a substitute arrived. I've now played for the second team along with my dad.

"I bowled a maiden, which I was pleased about as it was against the guy who caught me out after only one run. I've really enjoyed my cricket this season and I hope I can also play at Lord's one day."

Updated: 10:22 Friday, September 02, 2005