A SUCCESSFUL season of the Marches Cricket League came to a close with the 12th annual awards evening held at the Three Counties Hotel last month.

The guest speaker was popular cricket television and radio pundit and former New Zealand captain, Jeremy Coney MBE, the first to lead the Black Caps to series wins in both Australia (1985-6) and England (1986).

Some 150 people attended with 18 clubs represented.

There were team winners and runners-up awards for each division as well as batting and bowling trophies. A successful season for Luctonians saw them crowned league champions and winners of the Senior KO T20 Cup and captain James Platford was in attendance to collect the awards.

The Junior Cup was won by Talybont-on-Usk.

A man of the match award was also given for each division as voted for by either the umpires or the captains.

There were also trophies for the league's most successful fielder, wicket keeper and best ground.

After a two course buffet, Jeremy Coney entertained the audience with stories about his life and, in particular, facing the menacing four quick bowlers that the West Indies deployed in the 80's.

The Marches League welcomes clubs from the county and its near neighbours on the Welsh and Worcestershire borders.

It has been innovative and responsive to players needs by changing its traditional cup competition to a T20 format last year and Division Four plays only 40 overs per side.

Starting times have moved forward to 1pm but are flexible if both captains agree. This year the league is offering £500 to the league champions and £250 to the runners-up.

There are moves to restructure cricket in the West Midlands and whilst currently not in the ECB 'league pyramid' the Marches League and Herefordshire Cricket will be involved in forthcoming discussions.

  • Herefordshire Cricket Ltd are holding a meeting at the GWRSA Club, Barton Yard, Hereford on November 6, at 7.15pm.

ECB staff will giving a short presentation or update, which will include: Richard Cox (Regional Head of Participation & Growth); Andy Collett (Youth Participation Executive West Midlands); Ged MacDougall (Club and Facilities Manager West Midlands); Laura MacLeod (Regional Growth Executive West Midlands - women, girls and disability); Ian Gregory (Operations Manager Chance to Shine).

This will be followed by a general question and answers session but with an opportunity to follow up any important individual club issues in further face to face meetings that can be arranged.