TOM Coleman and Jamie McIlroy have been the two stand-out cricketers in Herefordshire 2nd team’s maiden season.

Coleman, a hard-hitting batsman from Colwall, hit a quick-fire 100 in the county’s final match against Staffordshire Development XI.

And McIlroy, a left-arm seamer from Brockhampton, played in all five friendly matches and drew praise from Gloucester Academy coach Owen Dawkins.

Dave Exall, Richard Taylor, Ollie Cross, Sam Morris and Joe Crichard also struck half-centuries for the newly-formed Herefordshire team.

But team manager Ian Macklin admitted many players had found it hard to step up to the level needed.

And Macklin said the coaches needed to find leaders, a specialist wicketkeeper and right-arm spinners to strengthen for next year.

Herefordshire lost all five matches but suffered narrow two-wickets defeats against Staffordshire Development XI and the Nigerian national team.

“Will Barrett is one player in the squad who has already become pretty much a fixture in the Herefordshire Minor Counties team,” said Macklin.

“We believe that Tom Coleman is another who should probably be playing for the first-team but that is up to him.

“Jamie McIlroy made great strides during the season and received a number of favourable comments from professional coaches.”

Macklin, a former Herefordshire Minor Counties all-rounder, said he was pleased with the county 2nd team’s campaign.

Ludlow player Richard Taylor was the second highest run-scorer for the team behind Coleman, who totalled 133 runs from three knocks.

And, in the bowling stakes, Gabriel Warwick bagged five wickets, pipping McIlroy and Jamie Blanchard, who each claimed four victims.

Macklin said: “The main purpose of the exercise was to provide a bridge between the age group teams and the Herefordshire Minor Counties team.

“Many of the players found it hard to step up to the level that was required and match-winning performances were generally lacking.

“We are also still looking for leaders who can make a difference on the field when things are not going our way.

“We should expect the experience to carry over into next year and be translated into success and a desire to win.”

He added: “I have been very happy with the teams we’ve put out – they’ve been well behaved and played with a smile.

“They have appeared to listen and learn from coaches Ed Price and Glyn Harrhy who have gone out of their way to try to make sure everything was done properly.”

Macklin also thanked administrator Edd Oliver and match-manager Tom Bevan for his attention to detail and good humour.

“To forge relationships with our neighbouring first-class counties will be one of the unexpected benefits over the next few years,” said Macklin.

Herefordshire 2nd results 2013 Herefordshire 2nd 235 (D Exall 71, R Taylor 53) Army Under-25 236-4.

Herefordshire 2nd 183 (G Leighton 48, B Stebbings 45) Nigeria 185-8 (B Stebbings 3-20, J Blanchard 3-44).

Herefordshire 2nd 199 (O Cross 59, J Emery 33) Gloucestershire Academy 202-5 (G Warwick 3-63).

Worcestershire Academy 346-6 (T Kohler-Cadmore 143. T Coleman 2-34, G Leighton 2-47, G Warwick 2-70) Herefordshire 238 (S Morris 89, J Crichard 51).

Herefordshire 2nd 242 (T Coleman 100, J Emery 35) Staffordshire Development 243-8 (J McIlroy 3-35, J Tiffen 3-35).