The club is also doing well on the representative scene with no less than six players being recognised for their talent in recent times.

Preston Brealey, 16, of Corlette, Isaac Chapman, 16, of Salamander Bay, Harry Campbell, 11, of Salamander Bay, Cooper Lack, 14 of salamander Bay and brothers Ed, 14, and Charlie Williams, 12, also of Salamander Bay have shone with bat and ball this season.

Although still a junior, Brealey – a number three or four batsman who has represented both Newcastle and the Stockton T20 club - has been testing his talent in the senior grades.

“I have been enjoying playing up and the atmosphere is great. It’s obviously more challenging playing against faster bowling. It’s been a great learning experience,” he said.

“I think I would like to take my game further as far as representative cricket is concerned, I’ve been doing extra net session to my normal training so we’ll see what happens.

“The cricket gets harder as you move up in age.”

Another 16-year-old enjoying his stints in the senior ranks is Isaac Chapman, a batting all rounder who has been playing with the Nelson Bay club for five years.

“Playing up means we get the opportunity to play more games on turf and test your batting skills. I do like to score quick runs but playing at the higher level means I have to be a little more cautious,” he said.

“The club has been good to me and my main aim at the moment is to get to 100 club games.”

It’s rare to see a left arm orthodox spinner, but young Harry Campbell – who has represented Newcastle and the Hunter primary schools region – is already turning heads at just 11 years of age.

“I learned to finger spin in the backyard with my dad. My best figures are 4-3 and one day I hope to be like Nathan Lyon,” he said.

Another Newcastle representative is all rounder Cooper Lack who has also tasted a slice of seniors cricket.

“I have always loved the game and want to go as far as I can,” he said. “Of course playing for Australia would be great but that’s a long way off, maybe I can one day be like my favourite Test player Pat Cummings.”

Backyard cricket matches in the Williams household can be very competitive.

Older brother Ed, another all rounder who boasts best figures of 6-11 in bowling and a top score of 59 n.o. with the bat, has the Baggy Green firmly set in his sights.

“I love cricket and yeah it would be good to one day get the chance to play for Australia. I also doing a bit of keeping and enjoy fielding … it’s just the best game,” he said.

Younger sibling Charlie is another Newcastle rep who admits to having started playing cricket when he was still in nappies. He prefers pace bowling.

“I look forward to every Saturday to play,” said the right arm quick.