Long-serving Nat takes top accolade

Lawrence has served Hanging Heaton as a player, scorer and official for more than 60 years, but it is his services to the Bradford League since his club entered the competition in 1980 that earned him the award

Nat doubles up as the junior secretary and spends time coaching and ensuring the young players have transport to matches. Over the years he has coached hundreds of youngsters, many of whom have gone on to play at a high level.

He gives up many hours of his time to carry out work on behalf of the club, while he is also on the Heavy Woollen Cup and Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Trophy committees where he has been a staunch supporter of the involvement of JCT600 Bradford League clubs.

During the summer, Nat spends every day at the club, attending matches or working behind the scenes, while a typical matchday can see him spending more than 12 hours ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Nat was shocked to win the award, adding: “This is completely out of the blue.”

Like most club stalwarts Nat is a typically modest and understated person. He is proud of his association with Hanging Heaton and is looking forward to carrying on this long relationship. “I shall continue, it’s what I do.”

Another long-serving official to win a top accolade was Bankfoot’s Richard Peel. His outstanding service and dedicated work on behalf of his club won him the JCT600 Unsung Hero Award.

Keighley’s Richard Robinson received a JCT600 Special award in recognition of the achievement.

Brighouse may have been forced to apply for re-election but they had the consolation of winning the Albert Smith Spirit of Cricket Award which is based on marks from umpires.

Lorenzo Ingram’s outstanding season with Farsley saw him scoop three awards. In addition to topping the batting averages he won the Sir Learie Constantine Division One all-rounders trophy and was named JCT600 Players’ Player of the Year after scoring 1,140 runs and taking 50 wickets.

His 20-year-old team-mate Joe Greaves was named as the Gordon Bowers Young Cricketer of the Year after a season which saw him hit five centuries as he made 1,019 runs.

Great Horton’s overseas player Suleman Khan won the Jack Hill Division Two All rounder of the Year award after scoring 1,208 runs and taking 62 wickets.

The Ernest Lodge Young Spinner of the Year Award was presented to Yeadon’s left-armer Ben Elvidge who took 36 wickets in his first Bradford League season.