Lancashire League Handbook 2019

21 In second place was one of the umpires who has been appointed to the new National Panel, Steve Beswick who took the Wally Ashley Trophy. But winning the Harry Saul Trophy for Umpire of the year for the eighth time was Duncan Warburton. The League makes 3 awards based on marks by the Umpires. Best tea room, The Joe Collier award for the Club with the best sportsmanship and the Alick Ormerod Trophy for the most effective First Team captain award. Jack Bottomley our Assistant Secretary collates the marks and this is greatly appreciated. The winners of the Tea award for the third consecutive year with 98.12% were Todmorden. The Joe Collier Trophy is an award decided by the marks awarded by Umpires at each match for the sportsmanship of each team and is based on a total of both First & Second Team Marks and this was won by Nelson with 97.73%. The Alick Ormerod Trophy for the most effective captain in 2018 was awarded to Russell Bradley of Nelson. We look forward towards 2019 with much enthusiasm, especially if the standard of cricket enjoyed in 2018 is anything to go by. I must thank Jack Bottomley for his production of the fixtures for 2019. We now have four divisions and second elevens no longer mirror first team fixtures. This must have been quite a task but he has achieved it. Not everyone can be satisfied but neither do we have anyone coming forward to do it any different. Well done Jack and thank you. The Lancashire League now has the opportunity to become the strongest competition in the County and with the input from our sponsors for development of our Clubs and facilities will be a major factor in us being the envy of other Leagues. I submit my report for inclusion in the handbook.