ONE of the talented young cricketers to emerge in Pembrokeshire girls cricket over the past two seasons is Chloe Hood, who is a right handed batsman and useful fast bowler who has broken into the Welsh squad for her age group as a wicket-keeper!

Chloe is only twelve years old but plays regularly for Johnston Ladies Cricket team which is captained by Naomi James, and which recently gained the runners-up spot to Hook Ladies in the league.

Naomi has also helped to coach Chloe at county level and is full of praise for her attitude.

Chloe is a credit to her team and her family, said Naomi, because she listens to all we ask her to do.

She never misses a training session and is one of the keenest players I have met

When it is our turn to bat she has already moved up to about No 6 in the order but has her pads on and her bat and gloves ready almost before the openers have gone in!

That Chloe should be such a good cricketer should come as no surprise because her dad Paul has been regarded as one of the faster bowlers in the county as he set out at Herbrandston and more recently played at Johnston, and as well as taking wickets has also shown his ability to score runs quickly in the lower middle order. Like father, like daughter, it seems!

Mum Lindsey used to do weight lifting after school but is now a brilliant chauffeur because there's been a need for lots of travel as Chloe has had to attend trials in Cardiff and Ebbw Vale. Chloe's brother Ieuan is nine years old and has started playing for Haverfordwest under nines.

Chloe first took an interest in cricket when she used to watch dad play for Herbie and had every encouragement to play at Milford Haven Junior School under the watchful eye of head teacher Mr Lyn Rees.

 Jackie Williams has also been a terrific help at Herbrandston and as coach to the regional team recommended Chloe for trials alongside other talented youngsters like Olivia James, Helen Jones and Jessica Morgan.

 The initial trials were held at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff and it needed a train trip to the capital which Chloe enjoyed and was thrilled to learn shed passed the first hurdle!

Another trip to Cardiff and then to Ebbw Vale (which needed two trains!) and Chloe was absolutely thrilled to be named in the Welsh squad.

 That was in January and after further training sessions Chloe has played three times for Wales and had a top score of 15, as well as taking some cracking catches with the gloves on.

There would have been a fourth match but as the Hood family was driving down to play in Worcestershire they were just half an hour from the ground when they received a text from Welsh coach Claire Thomas to say that rain had forced the game to be postponed!

 But it all proved to be worthwhile when the family all turned up to the SWALEC Stadium for the special presentation dinner where Chloe and the rest of the girls received their coveted Welsh caps from Robert Croft.

It was brilliant said Chloe and her picture shows how much she enjoyed it!

Back on the home front, Chloe has a top score for the county of 36 and showed her prowess against league champions Hook as she not only bowled a double wicket maiden but had another wicket in her very next over!

 They also beat Cresselly in their last match of the season to gain the medals for the runners-up spot, and Chloe bowled seven overs for just 15 runs against players who are mostly at least twice her age!

 Outside of her cricket, Chloe won Milford Haven Schools hurdles race for her age group as well as other first places in the high jump and relay, plus second in the 100 metres. She came second in the hurdles in Pembrokeshire and also represented her school in cross country at Oakwood.

 But it is cricket which is Chloe's favourite and she says her ambition is to win more Welsh caps in the future. It is well within her scope because Jackie Williams, who is a regional coach for the girls said,

Chloe has the potential to be a really good player but needs just a little more patience with her batting, like not playing the reverse sweep at a key time. She is an excellent run maker and very useful bowler and we expect great things of her.

 We can only echo what Jackie says and we wish Chloe Hood every future success in cricket for this very eager and talented young lady.