THE Horwath Pulleyn Heselton York Vale Cricket League is going from strength to strength.

Three more clubs have applied to join the league's ranks next summer, secretary Shane Hargrave revealed at the league's annual dinner at York Racecourse last night.

He summed up the season as being competitive yet friendly and with the trio applying to join next year it was evident that the league continued to grow.

Meanwhile, last night's ceremony, attended by 200 players and officials, proved to be a great occasion for former York City footballer John Sharples, who collected both batting and bowling awards in division two - feats which helped his side, Ovington, to the title.

He was one of the players and Ovington were one of the clubs honoured for their achievements during the 2000 season, for which former Yorkshire and England spin bowler Geoff Cope presented the awards.

The roll of honour for 2000 is:

Division one champions - Burythorpe.

Division two champions - Ovington.

Division three champions - Clifton Alliance.

Division four champions - Stillingfleet.

Division five champions - Drax.

Horwath Pulleyn Heselton Cup winners - Burythorpe.

Prendergast Cup winners - North Duffield.

Guy Mitchell Cup winners -Burn.

Prendergast Trophy winners - Clifton Alliance.

The individual batting and bowling average winners included:

Division one - Pete Aconley (Aldby Park), batting; Alan Day (Aldby Park), bowling.

Division two - John Sharples (Ovington), batting and bowling

Division three - David Bielby (North Duffield), batting, Wayne Bellerby (British Sugar), bowling.

Division four - Rob Murray (Stillingfleet), batting; Derrick Slack (Bishopthorpe), bowling.

Division five - Dean Wharton (Ovington), batting; Bob Wrigglesworth (Drax), bowling.

Dave Watson (Thorpe Willoughby), Keith Pepper (Fulfordgate) John Sharples (Ovington) and Colin Smallwood (Westow) received 'Sparkling Performance' awards from sponsor Paul Scothern of Malton-based Scothern Construction.

Stuart Nesbitt of Burn picked up The Harry Smith Memorial Trophy for wicketkeeping, while Burythorpe took the acolade of top achievers by winning the W H Hargrave Memorial award.