GM Rival 404 Junior Cricket Bat 2026

Speed. Precision. Ruthlessness. The GM Rival 404 Junior Cricket Bat 2026 brings the aggressive styling and powerful characteristics of the senior Rival range to the next generation of cricketers. Available in Size 5, Size 6 and Harrow, the Rival 404 Junior is designed for young players who want a genuine English Willow cricket bat with excellent pickup, manageable weight distribution and a profile built for positive, attacking stroke play. Featuring the Rival's striking chequered-flag inspired 2026 graphics, powerful hitting zone and premium GM Apex Grip, this is an excellent option for junior club, school and representative cricketers looking to take their game to the next level. No hesitation. No looking back. The Rival is Built To Win. The Rival – Built for Young Competitors The Rival is designed for cricketers who want to play positively. For junior players, GM adapts the characteristics of the Rival into appropriately sized blades that provide the control and manoeuvrability required to develop good batting technique. The result is a junior cricket bat designed to provide an excellent combination of power, pickup, bat speed and control. Whether driving straight, attacking through the covers or developing more aggressive boundary-hitting strokes, the Rival Junior is built to give young players confidence at the crease. English Willow Construction The GM Rival 404 Junior is manufactured from carefully selected English Willow, providing developing players with genuine English Willow performance at an accessible price point. The 404 specification is particularly suitable for young cricketers progressing beyond beginner-level bats and looking for an English Willow blade for regular training and match use. Each bat benefits from Gunn & Moore's extensive experience in willow selection, precision shaping and cricket bat manufacturing. Junior-Specific Sizing The Rival 404 Junior is available in: Size 5 Size 6 Harrow Each size is designed to provide appropriate dimensions and weight distribution for developing players. Using a correctly sized junior cricket bat can help improve pickup, bat speed, timing, backlift and overall control, allowing young players to develop their technique without struggling with an oversized senior bat. Powerful Hitting Profile The Rival is known for its powerful lower profile and aggressive playing characteristics. The junior versions retain the philosophy of the senior Rival while being appropriately proportioned for younger players. Plenty of willow is positioned through the important hitting area, providing young batters with confidence when committing to front-foot strokes and attacking fuller deliveries. Mid-to-Low Hitting Zone The Rival's mid-to-low hitting zone makes it particularly appealing to positive front-foot players. The positioning of the swell provides excellent support for drives, straight hitting and attacking strokes through the lower half of the blade. At the same time, careful weight distribution helps retain the versatility required for developing all-round junior stroke-makers. Excellent Pickup & Bat Speed For junior players, pickup can be just as important as the size of the profile. A bat that feels too heavy can make it difficult to maintain correct technique and react quickly against faster bowling. The Rival 404 Junior is shaped to provide a responsive pickup, allowing young players to generate bat speed naturally and maintain better control throughout the shot. This makes it particularly suitable for juniors developing their timing and learning to play a wider range of attacking strokes. F2 Face Profile The Rival incorporates GM's F2 face profile, appropriately proportioned for the junior blade. The slightly rounded characteristics complement the Rival's powerful shape and help create a generous hitting area with excellent feel through impact. Sweeping Contours Carefully designed sweeping contours help distribute willow efficiently through the blade. This allows the Rival Junior to retain a substantial hitting profile while maintaining the balance and manoeuvrability required by younger players. The result is a bat that provides confidence through impact without feeling unnecessarily cumbersome in the hands. Powerarc Bow Profile The Powerarc bow profile complements the Rival's overall construction. Its carefully engineered shape contributes to the balance and swing of the bat, helping young players move the blade smoothly through their shots. Combined with the lower power zone, it creates a junior profile designed for confident, positive stroke play. GM Apex Grip The 2026 Rival comes fitted with the GM Apex Grip, designed to provide excellent traction and comfort. A secure connection between the hands and handle is particularly important for developing players, helping maintain control as they increase their bat speed and expand their range of shots. The Apex Grip also complements the distinctive Rival graphics, completing the aggressive 2026 appearance. Bold Chequered-Flag Design The Rival's distinctive chequered-flag inspired graphics are designed to reflect speed, competition and attacking intent. The bold 2026 styling gives junior players the same distinctive Rival identity found throughout GM's senior range. It's a cricket bat designed to stand out at the crease. Made in England The GM Rival 404 Junior 2026 is manufactured by Gunn & Moore in England. Junior players benefit from GM's extensive experience in English Willow bat manufacturing, precision shaping and finishing. From willow selection through to final production, the Rival 404 Junior is designed to deliver the quality and consistency associated with Gunn & Moore. Key Features GM Rival 404 Junior Cricket Bat – 2026 Available in Size 5, Size 6 & Harrow Genuine English Willow GM 404 specification Bold chequered-flag inspired 2026 Rival graphics Junior-specific sizing and weight distribution Powerful mid-to-low hitting zone Designed for positive and aggressive stroke play Excellent pickup and manoeuvrability Designed to encourage quick bat speed F2 face profile Sweeping contours Powerarc bow profile Premium GM Apex Grip Made in England Ideal for junior club, school and representative cricket Available Sizes Size 5 The Size 5 is designed for younger junior players who require a shorter and lighter cricket bat. Its manageable dimensions allow developing cricketers to generate bat speed naturally while maintaining good control, making it an excellent option for players working on their fundamental batting technique. Size 6 The Size 6 provides the next step up for growing junior cricketers. It offers a larger blade and hitting area while remaining appropriately sized and balanced for junior players who aren't yet ready for a Harrow or full-size senior bat. Harrow The Harrow is designed for older juniors approaching senior cricket. It provides increased blade dimensions and hitting area while remaining lighter and more manageable than a full-size Short Handle bat, making it an excellent transition between junior and senior equipment. Specifications Brand: Gunn & Moore (GM) Model: Rival 404 Junior Season: 2026 Willow: English Willow Specification: 404 Available Sizes: Size 5, Size 6 & Harrow Hitting Zone: Mid-to-Low Face Profile: F2 Back Profile: Sweeping Contours Bow: Powerarc Grip: GM Apex Grip Country of Manufacture: England Who Is the GM Rival 404 Junior For? The GM Rival 404 Junior 2026 is an excellent choice for developing cricketers who want to move into a genuine English Willow bat with an attacking profile. Its mid-to-low hitting zone makes it particularly appealing to positive front-foot players, while the balanced junior construction provides the manoeuvrability required to develop a complete range of shots. The Size 5 caters for younger developing players, the Size 6 provides the next progression as players grow, and the Harrow offers an ideal transition towards full-size senior cricket bats. For junior cricketers looking for English Willow performance, excellent pickup, bold Rival styling and trusted GM craftsmanship, the Rival 404 Junior is an outstanding choice for the 2026 season. Speed. Precision. Ruthlessness. The Rival is Built To Win. Important Weight Information Any bat weight displayed in this listing is measured WITHOUT an Extratec protective sheet and WITHOUT a toe guard fitted. Please note that adding an Extratec protective sheet and/or toe guard will slightly increase the finished playing weight of the bat.