Bishop Auckland Club has started 2002 with two new officials, chairman Julian Happien-Smith and secretary Nikki Willis.

Steve Raine continues as treasurer. Former secretary Les Buist was named clubman of the year at the club's annual presentation evening at the Ship Inn, Middlestone Village, last weekend. Buist was also awarded the Founders Trophy for his service to the club.

Trevor Sharp retained his mens cyclo-cross trophy, his wife Lorraine also retaining the womens cyclo-cross trophy to repeat a family double. The family award went to the Willis family, wide and husband Nikki and John, and son Luke. Luke beat his mother Nikki into second place to take the handicap trophy in the club's ten mile time trial series. Bill Caveny was the overall winner.

Awards, clubman of the year: 1. Les Buist, 2. Nikki Willis, 3. John Willis; Founders Trophy: Les Buist; Family Award: Willis family; cyclo-cross, men: Trevor Sharp, women: Lorraine Sharp; 10 mile time trial series: 1. Bill Caveny, 2. Keith Turnbull, 3. Nikki Willis; handicap: 1. Luke Willis, 2. Nikki Willis, 3. Paul Gittins.

The MCC, the world's most prestigious cricket club, has decided that they will no longer play local North Yorkshire and South Durham league side Bishop Auckland CC and have cancelled their annual fixture at Kingsway.

The MCC match, once the high point of the Bishop Auckland cricket festival, continued after the festival itself came to an end some years ago. Now the MCC has broken off the arrangement after complaining that Bishops had allegedly "strengthened their side with foreign professionals," a charge denied by the local County Durham club. In fact, the only foreign professional in the side to play the MCC last year was Bishop Auckland's own pro, Aaley Haider. Bishops also fielded a number of older players and juniors including one eleven-year old. The MCC also complained about their players being asked to pay oe5 towards refreshments for the day, including lunch and tea, despite the fact that they had paid this nominal fee in previous years without making any objections