The team is the first in history to do the double, winning both the main and feeder league
Bethany Lodge Senior Reporter
13:23, 01 Aug 2026
The Grimsby Under 11 team is made up of more experienced and first-time players(Image: Submitted)
A Grimsby cricket team have made history by being the first club to win two leagues in the same season. The Grimsby Under 11s play in a main and feeder league, competing against the likes of Cleethorpes, Louth and even as far out as Haxey in North Lincolnshire.
Since it was conceived in 2000, Grimsby had only won the main league twice (2000 and 2021) and had never won the feeder league since it was created in 2019. The two leagues operate side by side throughout the season, with the feeder league being used to develop players who are looking to play in the main league.
Before the 2025/26 season, no team playing in the two leagues had ever done the double – until now. For coach of the main team, Pete Barnett, this achievement is nothing more than the players deserve for all their hard work. He said: “Being crowned league champions caps a magnificent season and the culmination of a three-year journey since many of the players first picked up a real cricket ball.”
Ava Whitney has been playing for the team for two of those three years and is thrilled to have won both leagues. She said: “I have really enjoyed playing my part this season, building on last year’s efforts and by far my best memory was bowling two wickets and giving away no runs in one over when we played away at Alkborough.”
Pete said: “We won 7 of our 8 league games, with our only defeat being a narrow 6-run loss to Appleby Frodingham.” Throughout the season, there were many moments of magic, but for Pete one was more magical than the others. “A standout moment came on a cold night in Barton, where we beat one of our closest title rivals by 9 runs, playing with a maturity well beyond our years.
The Grimsby Under 11 feeder league cricket team (Image: Submitted)
“We closed out the season in sparkling form with a strong performance against Broughton in the final game, to lift the trophy. It was brilliant to see the delight in the players faces after the final ball, knowing they had done it. This is only the third time in 26 years that a Grimsby team has won the Under 11s league title, so I’m taking that as a massive win for this club.”
However, none of it would have been possible without those wearing the cricket whites. “The players have worked incredibly hard, training week in, week out, and there’s been plenty of blood, sweat and tears along the way,” said Pete. “I’m immensely proud of what this group has achieved. They’re a hugely talented group of young players and I’m confident they’ll have a big future at the Club as they progress through the game.”
Ben Gibbons, who played his first ever season of cricket, said: “It’s been great winning the league; my team mates have been very supportive and my favourite part of the season was hitting a four.” This is something Ben is hoping to build upon in the future with dreams of being a professional cricketer.
Feeder team coach Neil Pridgeon said: “Without a doubt, it has been a great achievement for the club to win both leagues and shows just how strong both teams were throughout the entire season. We as coaching staff would like to thank all the players and their parents for their unwavering support over the season.”
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