NORTHWICH-BASED firm of chartered accountants Murray Smith has agreed to extend its sponsorship of the county cricket league into an eighth season in 2004.
The company will continue its Performance of the Month presentations and the annual Young Player of the Year award.
Senior partner Roy Ramsbottom, who is also chairman of Premier League club Oulton Park, said: 'We are delighted to carry on sponsoring the league, which continues to serve cricket at the top level throughout the county. If we have been able to help its development over the last seven years, we are proud to have done so.'
League chairman David Humpage said: 'Murray Smith injects £6,000 into league funds each year, which has enabled us to pass on great benefits, to our junior cricket set-up in particular. We are grateful to Roy and his partners for their generosity and hope our clubs will take advantage of the company's services whenever possible.' The 2004 league season is to open on Saturday, April 24, and end on Saturday/Sunday, September 17 and 18. This follows repeated requests from clubs for a later start due to cold April weather and because the calendar dates 'drop' invitingly. A total of 280 players, officials and guests enjoyed the league's 29th Annual Presentation Dinner at Mere Golf & Country Club on Friday, when the guest speaker was England selector and former Derbyshire, Essex, Cheshire and England all-rounder Geoff Miller. Speaking on behalf of the league was umpires panellist Rick Davis. One of two new entrants from the Meller Braggins League, Middlewich, has said it will be fielding only 1st and 2nd XIs next season, with no juniors. Oulton Park's Steve Yates has ended his club cricket career after 18 seasons at Little Budworth, following six at Northwich and three at Woodhouses. Steve will turn out for MCC and Cheshire 50s. Oulton's Danny Leech and Jason Whittaker are playing for Sydney grade club Gordon in New South Wales. Jason has already played against Aussie Test paceman Brett Lee, while Danny scored a century on his third-grade debut. Winnington Park's Mike Johns has changed his mind about standing down and continues at the helm in 2004. Former 1st XI batsman Jeremy Casey plans to fly up from his London home to play regularly next summer. Retiring secretary James Cowell has been named Person of the Year, Stuart Hayes the Most Improved Player and Rob Begbie the Most Promising.
Brian Clemow, the young Aussie who made a huge impact for Park in 1994, is back in top-grade cricket with Manly, after fully recovering from a horrific car injury sustained in Sydney in 1996. Tony Woodcock, a former club chairman and once a Cheshire opening batsman, is recovering from a leg amputation. Vale Royal Cricket Forum has entered an agreement with sports physio Peter Henderson to provide injury treatment at £10 per session, less than half the normal cost.
Evening sessions are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Henderson - the ex-Gillingham and Northwich Vics footballer - can be contacted by members of clubs in Vale Royal by calling 01606 871317.
