Bradford League quartet win OSCAs

12:04pm Tuesday 16th September 2008

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Four respected JCT600 Bradford League figures have been honoured in the 2008 Yorkshire Cricket Board Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards.

Lightcliffe chairman Rodney Heyhoe, Bradford League Umpires Association president Derek Shuttleworth, Pudsey Congs cricket chairman Ralph Middlebrook and Farsley chairman Ashley Metcalfe all picked up honours at Headingley.

Pride of place went to Heyhoe, the current holder of the coveted Sir Leonard Hutton Trophy for service to the Bradford League.

He won the lifetime achiever award for his outstanding work for Lightcliffe, where he has been a player and official for 50 years, and his service to groundsmanship.

Shuttleworth, who finally hung up his white coat this year after a distinguished career which spanned more than 1,000 Bradford League games, was honoured for his services to umpiring.

The service to cricket coaching award was won by Middlebrook, a stalwart figure in the emergence of Congs and one of the county’s most respected coaches.

Metcalfe collected the NatWest Cricket Force award, which acknowledged the outstanding contribution his club made to the 2008 event.

Farsley have been upgrading their facilities and are replacing the flat roof on their clubhouse with a pitched one.

Another Bradford League club official who has been recognised for their work is Bradford & Bingley secretary and long-time tea lady Mary Seal. She was runner-up in the behind the scenes category.

This is the second year of the Yorkshire Cricket Board’s OSCAs and represents the best haul of honours achieved by figures from the Bradford League.