HORDEN Cricket Club run machine Adrian Hedley has scooped The Northern Echo's Cricketer of the Month award for July after a phenomenal month at the crease.

Hedley was up against some stiff opposition to win the prestigious trophy but after plundering a massive 852 runs - in only five innings - last month there was no doubt whose mantelpiece the award, sponsored by Mike Gough Sports in Hartlepool, would be sitting on.

John Lee would have been a worthy winner in normal circumstances after taking four wickets in four balls in a NYACC League under 13s encounter with Blackhall.

Mark Little was another worthy of a mention when he knocked an impressive 183 not out for Lands CC against Raby Castle. And not forgetting all-rounder Lee Hayton who has been in impressive form with both bat and ball for Usher Moor CC under-15s, 18s and the club's second XI.

Hedley has now cracked 1,162 runs this season and needs only 177 more in six innings to smash the current Durham Senior League amatuer batting record of 1,339, set by Jimmy Daley. And with a season's average of 84.27 you wouldn't back against it happening.

The 27-year-old opening batsman's first victims were Eppleton when he knocked an impressive 130 (off 89 balls five sixes and 16 boundaries) at the beginning of his prolific month. He then hit 153 at Boldon before posting a massive 198 against South Hetton - with 22 boundaries and nine sixes.

Hedley then hit 168 from just 117 deliveries at Seaham Harbour with five sixes and 23 fours, and blasted a whirlwind 99 (ten boundaries and eight sixes in only 50 balls) in Horden's one-wicket victory against Marsden. He rounded off the month by cracking another century (106 not out). Eppleton were once again on the receiving end of his bludgeoning willow.

Horden CC chairman Kenny Lincoln believes his talented charge is one of the most gifted cricketers he has 'ever seen'.

He said: "I have never seen a cricketer hit the ball as hard as he does in my life. We had West Indian Test cricketer, Derrick Parry, here a few years ago and he is on a par with him. He really is a maverick and one of the best I have ever seen."

Hedley, who has been at Horden for six seasons, modestly played down his chairman's eulogies and says there is no real secret to his batting talent.

"I just play straight and it just comes naturally to me," said the former Durham City batsman.

"I've always hit the ball quite hard but this year I've been seeing the ball quite well and hitting it harder than I've ever done. It's probably on natural ability rather than having to work on my technique or anything.

"It is my best season by far. I have never really kept a record of the runs I've scored in any season but that has changed this time around because I've scored so many.

"But obviously I've now got my sights on the record amateur runs set last season."

Despite Hedley's prolific feats at the crease Horden still lie in the lower reaches of the Durham Senior League.

He said: "We're in the bottom half of the league despite all my runs probably due to a bit of bad luck.

"We've only won the toss three times this season. It's got so bad that I've even sent one of the other lads out to go and spin the coin. It's important you win the toss as you have more control over what happens in the match.

"It's usually better to put the opposition in first so you know what is expected of the team but we haven't that many opportunities to do so this season."

Hedley's chairman mischievously revealed that his captain has had a few problems in the past with the odd umpire, but says that is what makes him such an exciting talent to watch.

Yet joking aside, Lincoln believes that had his talented batsmen managed to instill a strong sense of discipline in his formative years as a cricketer then there was no bounds to what he could have achieved in the game.

"He's not a big fan of authority," Lincoln quipped, "and if his attitude was different then he could have played for England I have no doubt about it.

"And to be honest it's not the same watching once he gets out. It's not as exciting, although we do have some good batsmen in the side who take the game on."

Hedley laughed at his chairman's disciplinary suggestions, but added: "I have had my problems (with authority) but that is all in the past now and it's probably contributed to why I have done so well this season.

"And it doesn't matter whether I face slow or fast bowlers. I never have any problems with any bowlers - they seem to have plenty of problems with me."

On current form these problems look set to continue much to the chagrin of the South Shields bowling attack.