CHAIRMAN Graham Stickland believes Parley's exploits in the Davidstow Village Cup reaffirmed their reputation as “the best club in the county” for producing young players.

Parley fielded no fewer than four under-16s - Jamie Price, Will Hendy, Dom Clutterbuck and George Wilson - on their way to progressing into the national stages of the prestigious competition.

And although their journey came to an end at the hands of Great and Little Tew eight days ago, Stickland said winning the Dorset & Wiltshire group was a triumph for the club's commitment to youth.

Players to have graduated through the Parley ranks include David Payne at Gloucestershire, England under-19 Tom Barber at Hampshire Academy and Dorset's Sam Thomson, now at Bashley.

Stickland told the Daily Echo: “In my view, we continue to be the best club in the county at bringing through young cricketing talent. I am not saying that to knock other clubs, it is just a fact. We offer great coaching and support and there are opportunities for players at all age groups including girls.

“We are able to get players into the highest level and that is still one of our goals. We continue to produce players that bigger and first-class organisations are looking at.”

Parley's Village Cup team was skippered by Sam Collins who, together with team-mate Robbie Gunn, featured in the club's 2006 National Under-15 Cup-winning side, while teenager Clutterbuck is currently on the Academy staff at Gloucestershire.

Stickland added: “We are trying to introduce adult competitive cricket to as many youngsters as possible and are very proud of the fact we put out a side which has so much promise and reflected what we do as a club in terms of building up players from under-eights and nines.

“A lot of the lads playing have been with us for seven, eight or nine years and it is quite gratifying to see them beginning to be able to perform on the bigger stage and against teams which are quite accomplished.

“It was the first year we had entered and I know we were quite well beaten on Sunday.

“But with every game, people learn, grow and develop and that is what we are focused on as a club.”