CONTRARY to negative rumours earlier this year forecasting the demise of the Feversham Cricket League, it has managed to survive for another season, thanks to the dedication and belief of the four remaining clubs, Gillamoor, High Farndale, Slingsby and Spout House, who all consider this historical League to be worth preserving for as long as is humanely possible.

The opening fixture, Spout House at home to Gillamoor,was preceded by a short ceremony to dedicate a memorial honouring the Spout House secretary for 66 years, William Ainsley, who died in 2012. An engraved stone set in the top (east) boundary wall, it forms a companion to a similar stone in memory of Mr Ainsley's predecessor, his grandfather.

Members of the family were present, and congratulations on what it considers a most fitting memorial were offered by the League, whose chairman, David Westhead, attended the match.

Playing in a biting wind that whipped up the valley, sometimes lifting the bails on the exposed hillside ground, had veterans recalling similar early season evenings when some wore three sweaters and two pairs of trousers. Possibly the key moment in the match was when Gillamoor fielder Jack Hall held an awkward running catch at deep fine leg. This saw star batsman Brian Leckenby, making his Spout House debut after transferring from High Farndale, depart for just 1 from a rare mishit.

Hall went on to earn undoubted man of the match status by taking 5 for 16, already a serious candidate for the League's bowling trophy, including a double-wicket maiden in his first over, as Spout House struggled to 76 for 9 in reply to Gillamoor's earlier 89 for 8 in the sixteen overs. Hall's victims included top scorer Barry Wheldon, whose 27 included four fours. Dan Medd contributed 14.

For Gillamoor, Connor Campbell reached 10 before being bowled by Jonathon Leckenby, who recorded excellent figures of 4 for 12. However, John Lumley, taking his chances on a wicket with often terminal low bounce, carried Gillamoor forward with an undefeated 40, including the season's first six on the Spout House ground.

Following Gillamoor's thirteen run victory, there was a particularly convivial gathering in the pub, where Mr Ainsley was the former landlord, to conclude another memorable, if unhelpfully chilly, occasion in the long history of this famous old club.