A VILLAGE cricket team had plenty of reasons to celebrate when they held their annual presentation night at Northallerton Rugby Club last Friday.

Players and supporters of Langbaurgh League club Kirby Sigston gathered to toast last season's historic achievements.

The club completed an unprecedented treble by winning the league championship, the Gjers cup and the Bob Lowther cup, while individual players were also among the honours.

Captain David Thompson was the league's top batsman with an average of more than 87 and Richard Tate was the leading wicketkeeper, while Kevin Clarkson held the most catches and was second in the bowling averages.

The club lost only one game last season - by one run to East Harlsey - and also won the invitational Steele cup.

There was also a special award for John Thompson, who is retiring after almost 50 years as the team's opening batsman.

A Kirby Sigston team existed before the Second World War, but was disbanded when war broke out. Mr Thompson, whose son David is the current club captain, was one of the founder members when the club was re-formed in 1954.

He has been the opening batsman ever since, scoring more than 40,000 runs and 27 centuries in an illustrious career. He has a top score of more than 140.

Mr Thompson, who is now 62 and lives at Romanby, also used to chip in as a bowler and became the wicketkeeper when he was too old to bowl.

His work behind the stumps earned him a place in the Yorkshire over-50s team, for whom he played several games, including matches against Durham, Northumberland and Leicestershire.

His son David also earned county recognition, playing for the Yorkshire 13 and 14 years teams.

Mr Thompson, who is an agronomist, retires with plenty of good memories from a long and distinguished career. He said: "Every hundred is memorable, every one is a pleasure, and I've been fortunate to play with super people, great friends whose abilities I admire.

"I will miss it, but I'll still be involved. I help with the ground and I may still play the odd game if they're short."