THE FIRST fulfilment of a rich vein of potential has earned Luke McCoy the Daily Post Champagne Moment award for June.
The 13-year-old from Penketh was chosen after scoring 101 not out for Cheshire under 13s against Lincolnshire.
It was his first century, but the Grappenhall CC player did not make it without a slight hiccup.
He said: "The innings was safe and I thought I played well, with some good shot selection. I am an attacking batsman so I will go for my shots.
"When I reached the 90s, I managed to get through them quickly, although I was on 99 with the last ball of the innings and managed to scramble a single to make it 100, or so I thought.
"The scorers had got it wrong and I was already on 100 without knowing it."
He added: "I have never had a century before so it was brilliant to make it. I didn't think I had been batting that well, so I managed to pull it out of the bag and get back into form."
Luke, who bats right-handed but bowls left-handed, also plays for Everton academy as a tough-tackling left midfielder, where he uses his left foot.
Indeed he admits he faces a difficult choice in the future between cricket and football.
He said: "I am back at Everton for my second season now and I really enjoy my football and cricket. I am just going to keep working hard at both to try and become better, and we will see how things work out.
"They are both very important to me at the moment."
His achievement was made all the sweeter by some sibling rivalry as well, as his brother James was out on 99 only a few weeks before Luke's landmark knock.
"I managed to beat him to it, which we were laughing about, but he has made two hundreds since then, so I've got to catch him up now," Luke said.
He added his thanks to his coaches David Burrows and Clive Elliott
The Cheshire under 13s manager, Clive was delighted his young charge had won the Champagne Moment award.
He said: "Luke is one of the most naturally talented cricketers around, but he has had to develop a maturity about his shot selection. That maturity and disciplined approach paid off in his innings against Lincs.
"Now he will be looking to develop consist-ency to add on to his established abilities and I am sure he will be able to do it."
He added: "I'm sure Luke would also recognise our vice-captain David Hurst's contribution to his score as he took every opportunity to talk to and encourage Luke in the middle. I know he was grateful for that support."
