9:42am Tuesday 29th December 2009
Players and supporters of clubs in the York & District Senior Cricket League will be saddened to hear of the death of Clive Clark, the president of Yapham Cricket Club.
From a Sledmere family, he initially played for Pocklington Cricket Club.
In 1984, he topped the League averages with 716 runs at 44.75, a feat that earned him the Des Wyrill Award as the league’s leading batsman.
He then had nine years at Sheriff Hutton Bridge CC, playing a major part in the club’s most successful spell.
In 1987, he became only the second player to complete the double of 500 runs and 50 wickets in the top division, following his team-mate Des Wyrill.
As captain of SHB, he guided them to consecutive league titles in 1988 and 1989.
After two modest seasons, Clark amassed 854 runs at 61.71 in 1992 to hold the distinction of being the first player to win the Des Wyrill Award for a second time.
He ended his playing days at SHB two years later to return to play with Yapham.
Their entry into the York Senior League in 1998 enabled Clive to again grace the league’s grounds and he obliged with 650 runs in the club’s debut season.
League secretary Albert Pattison said: “Clive will be remembered for his unruffled approach which saw him frustrate opposition.
“Most of all, he will be fondly remembered by both his former team-mates and opponents, for the fine sporting manner in which he played the game. He epitomised the true meaning of ‘the spirit of cricket’.
“Condolences are extended to his wife, Margaret, and family.”
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