ELTON Vale will have plenty to celebrate when they hold their annual presentation evening next month.

The first and second teams marked the cricket club’s 90th year with a string of honours this season.

First team captain Ben Baker guided his side to second place in the top tier of the North Manchester Cricket League, earning them the CG Seddon Trophy.

Star batsman Mohammad Ashraf, who picked up the club’s players’ player award, also topped the division’s batting averages.

The second team were not to be outdone. Captain Javed Khan and his players won the second division’s Hodson Cup, while Mohammad Haslam was man of the match in the final. And they finished the season strongly to claim the ‘Last Six’ competition – awarded to the side with the best record in the final six games.

“It was a fantastic performance from the lads – a real team effort across the board and a great way to celebrate our landmark year,” said club manager Dave Hawksworth. An extra reward for the first team is a place in the Lancashire Knockout next year.

Elton Vale, who won a place in the county competition on the strength of their runners-up spot in the NMCL, have been drawn at home to Littleborough in the first round.

Littleborough finished runners-up in the Central Lancashire League and Hawksworth knows they will pose a tough challenge.

“They will have a professional within their ranks – a luxury that unfortunately we don’t have,” said the club manager. “But I am sure, even though they will start as favourites, that our team will raise their game and give them a competitive match.”Elton Vale are one of five local sides who will be represented in the LCB Knockout, with NMCL rivals East Lancs Paper Mill drawn at home to Bolton Association side Edgworth.

Lancashire Cricket League side Ramsbottom are at home, against Bootle, while Greenmount and Walshaw have been given byes.