Youngsters from Castletown Cricket Club were thrilled when a ‘VIP guest’ turned up at the ground recently - the prestigious Friends Provident Trophy which is ‘on-loan’ to the Isle of Man throughout the month of June.

The Friends Provident Trophy is the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) premier one-day domestic competition and is the only domestic competition that emulates the one-day international format.

The Trophy has come to the Island courtesy of Castletown-based Friends Provident International and the Company was keen for the hallowed cup to make an 'inspirational' mini-tour of various local cricket clubs.

In addition to seeing the cup first hand, Castletown CC also received a cricket bat signed by the players of the 2008 Friend Provident Trophy Champions, Essex, along with an assortment of T-shirts and caps.

Pictured: Future stars of cricket gather round the Friends Provident Trophy