The cream of Yorkshire cricket will now compete for the Costcutter Yorkshire Senior Leagues' Cricket Knockout Trophy after the York based supermarket group announced a three-year sponsorship deal.

The tie-in represents a continued policy by Costcutter to support local and grassroots cricket.

Costcutter are heavily involved with the English Schools' Cricket Association and Celebrity Bunbury XI, while their sponsorship of the York & District Cricket League dates back to 1994.

Last summer, Costcutter went global with their sponsorship of the Costcutter Under-15 World Cricket Challenge 2000 and was viewed by the English Cricket Board as a 'resounding success' and 'showcase for youth cricket'. The tournament culminated in the West Indies winning the trophy at Lord's.

Said Costcutter chairman and managing director Colin Graves: "Local league cricket is a vital part of the development of cricket within the U.K.

"To sponsor the Yorkshire Senior Leagues Cricket Knockout will enhance the competition.

"We aim to make this the premier of all league competitions within Yorkshire."

Competition secretary Hedley Dawson enthused: "The competition will once again be seen to be the leading inter-league competition in the county."

The eight participating leagues are: Airedale & Wharfedale, Bradford, Central Yorkshire, Huddersfield, South Riding, Wetherby, York & District and Yorkshire.

First round matches - to be announced soon - will be played on Sunday, June 3 with the semi-finals scheduled for Sunday, July 1.

Dunnington Cricket Club in York will host the final on Sunday, August 19.

Updated: 16:30 Friday, March 02, 2001