OVINGTON, one of the founder members of the HPH York Vale Cricket League, has donated two trophies in memory of a former club stalwart Les Kirby.

He was instrumental in establishing the club in 1928 and held every position at Ovington including captain, umpire, chairman and president before his death in 2000, aged 92.

Ovington secretary Alan Fletcher said: "Les was a soft-spoken gentleman, best remembered as our scorer, who endured all weathers in his overcoat, seated at a table on the boundary of our Knavesmire ground. This was long before we acquired a modern pavilion with an indoor scorebox.

"Les was also president of the York Charity Cups competition and enjoyed the game so much we thought it would be nice to have a lasting memory of his wonderful contribution to local cricket."

League secretary Shane Hargrave said: "Every club needs a Les. His scoring was meticulous and there were never any discrepancies when he was in charge of the scorebook. The League is delighted to accept the two trophies, which is a superb gesture from Ovington."

The trophies will be awarded at the end of each season to the player who scores most runs and who takes most wickets.

Division one champions Drax are making a big drive towards acquiring the Sport England Clubmark this season.

The club were founded in the 1880s and have been Vale League members for ten years in which time they have built a new clubhouse and made improvements to the pitch and outfield.

Five of the club's established players have qualified as coaches and they offer coaching to youngsters each Tuesday during the season.

The initiative, which is now in its second year, is so successful that a thriving junior section has been established and on July 4 will host a local schools tournament and during the summer hopes to stage a Yorkshire girls' Under-15 fixture for the first time.

Two former members of Drax, Sid Fielden and Nigel Adams, are members of Yorkshire County Cricket Club committee and Sid's brother, Mac, is now playing in his 45th year for the villagers.

Updated: 10:07 Thursday, May 25, 2006