LUCTONIANS have re-appointed Duncan Platford as their first-team captain in the Crusader Worcestershire County League Division 1 for the 2005 season.

Opening batsman Platford will again be backed up by vice-captain Greg Powell.

No second-team captain has yet been appointed but Paul Humber will look after the third team in the Flint & Cook Marches League and Chris Meek takes charge of the fourth side.

"We were quite pleased with the way last season went," said chairman Mike Radnor. "With 10 more points from the last game of the season we would have finished in fourth place, so the club is moving the right way."

Officers: chairman, Mike Radnor; vice-chairman, Dick Withers; secretary, Dave Price; treasurer, Paul Humber; first Xl captain, Duncan Platford; first Xl vice-captain, Greg Powell; second Xl captain, to be appointed; third Xl captain, Paul Humber; fourth Xl captain, Chris Meek.

HEREFORDIANS have become the first Herefordshire sports club to be selected as an access organisation for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

In 2004, the club helped five members James Fletcher, Adam Tilsed, Ben Paske, Tom Paske and Ceri Griffiths gain a sectional certificate, one of four modules which make up the full award, through active participation at the club.

MONMOUTH Cricket Club will be looking to fill two key positions when they hold their annual meeting at the Three Horseshoes on Tuesday.

Skipper Paul Swingwood is standing down after leading the side to back-to-back league and cup doubles while chairman Chris Brooks is also looking to hand over the reins after two years in office.

Both Swingwood and Brooks will remain with the club as playing members but the outgoing chairman said: "I hope that some new faces will come in and continue to take the club forward."

In addition to winning the Flint & Cook Marches League Division 1 and Advantage Business Supplies Cup for the second year in succession last season, the club also enjoyed success at second team level by securing runners-up position in Division 2.

FORMER Herefordshire all-rounder Andre Adams, the New Zealand Test player, has signed for Essex as one of their overseas players for the forthcoming season.