The conveyor belt of developing talent at Collingham Cricket Club is starting to bear fruit.
Teenager Will Hillman was handed his first team debut at the weekend in their derby victory over Balderton in Division Two of the Nottinghamshire Premier League.
The 14-year-old was involved in the eight-wicket win which maintained Collingham's unbeaten start to the season.
And, with a number of youngsters also featuring for the club's newly-formed Development team this season, first team skipper Burhan Alam feels the future is bright.
He said: "The club is in a really good position at the moment.
"We've set up the Development team for this season which shows that we have youngsters coming through.
"Will also made his first team debut on Saturday and it shows we have talented youngsters at the club.
"They are getting an opportunity which is good for the club and the people around the village.
"It has to be the aim to have a conveyor belt of players coming through the teams and eventually the aim is for them to get into the first team and to kick on from there.
"We've got a lot of talented youngsters at the club and hopefully over the next few years you'll see a lot more in the first and second teams.
"Since I came in as captain, it has been one of our aims to develop the young players and give them opportunities so it has been good so far."
The latest addition to the Collingham ranks are playing in the South Nottinghamshire Development League this season.
Two of the club's Under 15 players, George Hatton and Joseph Hogg, made impressive senior debuts on Sunday in the five-wicket loss against Hucknall.
Hatton donned the wicket-keeper's gloves and made some eye-catching diving stops while Hogg picked up his first South Nottinghamshire League wicket when clean bowling Isaac Robinson-Parker.
Collingham had batted first and were dismissed for 102 with Cameron Marriot making a dashing knock of 17 at the top of the order before Louis Carver crafted a patient innings of 17 at number four, showing good technique on a green pitch.
Hucknall passed their target inside 23 overs after a hard-fought contest which saw Tony Williams take a wicket with his first ball for the second successive game.
