SALAMANDER Bay’s Ed Williams is a stout-hearted cricketer in a big hurry.

The emerging nineteen-year-old paceman continues to impress in his rookie season in the Newcastle District first grade cricket competition.

Williams has grabbed his opportunities with the Stockton & Northern Districts club this summer – grabbing 23 wickets at an economical average of 8.35 to keep the Seagulls in finals contention.

It has been a sharp learning curve for the talented young quick who was rewarded with selection in this year’s Newcastle representative squad for the NSW Country Cricket Championships, held in the Hunter.

While inclement weather has hampered the Seagulls’ push for a finals berth in the New Year, the teenage tearaway remains a bowling spearhead in the top grade.

His recent haul of 4-18 off eleven overs in the Seagulls’ victory over Belmont at Cahill Oval was testimony of his fast bowling skills.

Since joining Stockton & Northern Districts the emerging quick has bagged an impressive 61 wickets on the Newcastle grade cricket scene at an average of 15.26.

Williams – another product of the Nelson Bay Junior Cricket Club – has taken huge strides under the leadership and mentoring of Newcastle representative skipper Nick Foster.

He has shared the new ball with experienced campaigner Adrian Chad and Newcastle representative paceman Josh McTaggart and has quickly struck-up a lethal combination.

The Seagulls are perched in fourth spot on the Newcastle first grade competition ladder on 42 points – just four points behind pacesetters Wallsend (46), second placed Newcastle City (45) and Cardiff-Boolaroo (45).

With rampaging rookie Williams at the top of his game the Stockton side remain strong contenders for the premiership title.

By Chris KARAS