OTLEY’S cricketers celebrated their all-conquering season with their annual presentation evening at Otley Golf Club.

The club’s three senior teams all won their league titles while the first team won the Waddilove Cup, the under-17s lifted the Denison Cup and the under-13s came top of their league.

The accolade of player of the year went to James Davies, who topped both the Aire-Wharfe Division One batting and bowling averages, while his father Stephen was named Clubman of the Year.

Wicketkeeper Paul Nicholson was named the club’s most improved player, while Richard Rhodes received a mounted cricket ball in recognition of taking four wickets in four balls against Olicanian on May 31.

Other awards were: First XI batting: James Davies; first XI bowling: Ricky Halloran; second team batting: Graeme Wolfenden, Second XI bowling: Richard Rhodes; third XI batting: Tom Brady; third XI bowling: Jake Toulson.

Otley elected five new life members at the recent annual meeting. They are Stephen Davies, Michael Smith, Bob Heseltine, Michael Gray and Andrew Mitchell.

* AIRE-Wharfe League secretary Dave Alred has warned clubs to take more care of the league’s trophies.

Five have now been lost in as many years, which, in his annual report, Alred said “shows a great disrespect to those generous enough to donate trophies”.

He added: “The heritage of the league is being lost while the trophies are being replaced. It is incumbent on all clubs and players to take more care of trophies.”

Alred also told clubs off for returning trophies late, stating: “One or two clubs let the side down.”