ANDREW Armistead of Kendal has had a remarkable first season in the Cumbria county pool squad.

The youngster finished the campaign by topping the B team averages for the county with 18 wins.

The promotion of several veterans to A team duty led to more opportunities for new young players like Armistead.

Neil Armstrong of Whitehaven was player of the season for Cumbria A in their county championship season winning 22 frames and losing only six in county championship games, as well as retaining his county championship title and qualifying for an England trial.

Matt Brannan from Silloth also qualified for an England trial with 20 wins and Philip Leary

(Penrith), who collected 19 victories, will take part in a play-off to hopefully become Cumbria's third England trialist.

Cumbria Ladies also finished fourth and encouragingly there was a greater influx of new players than for several seasons during which team manager Elaine Hudson has had to struggle with a depleted squad.