NORTHWICH Cricket Club have held their annual presentation evening. Just like their season, it was a great success - and there's a lot more to come, predicted chairman Rob Westworth.

The summer had seen the club win two competitions and two runners-up trophies - and Northwich honoured the individuals who had provided the club with its most successful season in over 30 years.

Westworth opened proceedings with his appraisal of the efforts and rewards on the pitch.

'All the hard work put in over the past seven years, in relocating the club and regenerating the club's fortunes, has started to display results,' he said.

Westworth is seen as the driving force behind North-wich's resurgence and restructuring - and he believes the club's first taste of league success since 1967 is just the beginning.

'I am sure that this is just the start of many great years to come, with old players returning, new players being attracted and the homegrown talent of the junior section beginning to make an impact into the senior sides.

He thanked workers, volunteers and president Tom Davies and appealed for more helpers.

Special mention also went to groundsman John Hughes, whose excellent work on the ground throughout the year had provided an excellent quality wicket on which the teams could play their games.

'It is still our ambition to be a centre of excellence for cricket and stage representative matches at Northwich', said Westworth.

Special trophies were presented to the players of both senior teams to mark the first XI runners-up position and the second XI winning their division.

Presentations were made to Ant Shaw, in recognition of his century, and to Dean Kendrick for his spell of 8-14 in nine overs in the Alliance knockout semi-final.

The champagne moments of the season were awarded to Ant Shaw for his athletic fielding at Wistaston and to Steve Riley for bowling the final over of the cup match at Stalybridge under pressure.

The recipient of the most ducks in the season went to Andy Lindley, who was also second in the 1st XI averages.

First XI bowling winner was Nick Shaw, and Ant Shaw took with him the batting trophy and recognition from his team-mates with the playerof-the-year award.

Second XI batting winner went to Scott McCormack, with an average of 78 that may see him also claim the league award; bowling winner was captain Jason Hillyer who also collected the play-ers' player-of-the-year. After three years with the club, Hillyer has now returned to his native Australia.

The Charlton Homes special merit award was presented to Simon James who, in his first full season as club captain, had laid the foundations for the success.

Westworth praised his 'inventive attitude' to training and commitment to the club's development.

The chairman said: 'At the start of the season, it was expected a club of this stature should not languish at the bottom of the Cheshire ladder and promotion was a must.

'This had been achieved and along the way he found time to manage the Under 18s, lead the junior coaching, organise the midweek league and still find time to coach the Cheshire Under 11s side.'

The awards were presented by the club president Davies, who gave his trophy of re-cognition to Steve Oldham and his family. Steve has been at the club for seven years and has had two spells as second XI captain and this year was vice-captain to Hillyer.