PUDSEY St Lawrence cricket chairman Paul Hutchison knows what part luck can play in a competitor's career.

In 1997, he was out of the first-team picture for Yorkshire – and was not even selected for their match against Pakistan A – when a crop of the county's elite were rested.

Then fate lent a hand for Hutchison, one of two guest speakers at the Bradford Junior League's prize presentation at Cleckheaton Sports Club.

"Alex Wharf (formerly of Undercliffe) got injured and I got the call about two days before and took four wickets in the first innings and seven in the second," he recalled.

"I then played in the last six or seven championship games and was called up for England A that winter."

Going even further back, Hutchison – who was part of Yorkshire's County Championship-winning team in 2001 – can remember the physical and mental hardship of playing senior cricket at a young age.

He said: "I started cricket as an eight-year-old (his sons are now eight and six) and was best mates with James Middlebrook (who has just been released by Northamptonshire), and it was in the garden that his dad Ralph started to impart some wisdom.

"He was indoor centre manager for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and must have inspired James and myself subliminally.

"I got the call-up to St Lawrence's fourth team when I was 11 and, only used to playing 20-overs cricket, the difficult thing was from overs 21 to 50. I can remember getting home and being exhausted – I don't even remember the result!

"Then I can remember playing against Bradford & Bingley's 'George' (David) Batty, father of Gareth and Jeremy, when I was 15 or 16.

"He must have been in his 50s and he was the keenest man ever. His enthusiasm can grab hold of you and I loved it."

Apart from hard work, it was obvious that Hutchison also had a lot of fun from the game in his teens as he came through the Yorkshire Academy system with a bunch of his mates.

He said: "We were just having a laugh and we also happened to be quite good at cricket as well. I wish I could have my time back again as I probably didn't cherish it as much as I should have at the time."

Hutchison's fellow speaker was JCT600 Bradford League stalwart Rob Burton and the Spen Victoria, Gomersal and East Bierley all-rounder was asked who were the best league players he had played with or against.

He said: "With are Jon Proud and Richard Gould, and against are Bradley Parker, Ashley Metcalfe and Rana Naveed."

Hutchison added: "I would definitely echo Rana, who was two classes above everyone else, while I would add Iain Priestley for his superb hitting and Chris Gott, who was also a superb cricketer who you could have a beer with afterwards."

Bradford & Bingley's Pat Dixon won the Greg Duggan Memorial Trophy as part of the Bradford Junior League's under-17 Joe Lumb Competition team, while Spen Victoria received the John Howard Dewhirst Cup for Sportsmanship.

Other award winners – Under-17s, Arthur Lister Batting Trophy: Tom Watson (Idle). Eddie Whitaker Bowling Trophy: James Massheder (Idle). Fred Coote Wicketkeeping Trophy: Lawrence Davis (Bradford & Bingley). Kathleen Hodgkinson-Cope All Rounder Trophy: Adam Ahmed (Undercliffe). Under-15s, Joan Peel Batting Trophy, William Grace (Bradford & Bingley). John Peel Bowling Trophy: Jack Cull (Buttershaw St Paul's). Ronnie Harrison Wicketkeeping Trophy: Saif Arshad (Batley). Under-13s, Batting Trophy: Harry Duke (Liversedge). Bowling Trophy: Yousef Khan (Saltaire). Wicketkeeping Trophy: Josh Bennett (Adwalton).

Roll of honour – Under-17s, Hope: Bradford & Bingley CC and Undercliffe. Priestley: Pudsey Congs. Cup: Pudsey Congs. Under-15s, North: Undercliffe. South: Buttershaw St Paul's. Cup: Buttershaw St Paul's. Under-13s, Bowers: Keighley. Demaine: Pudsey St Lawrence. Peel: Adwalton. Cup: Keighley. Under-11s, North: Idle. South: Great Horton. Cup: Idle CC. Under-nines: Bradford & Bingley.