NEW cricket bat business Raven Cricket are proving a big hit with the HPH York Vale League.

It will sponsor the league’s Young Player of the Year award and junior six-a-side tournament which is due to be staged at Pocklington on Sunday, June 29.

The firm has been set up by Carl Marsden, skipper of the Yapham side which plays in the Vale League.

Raven Cricket will also sponsor a man-of-thematch award for the Headley Cup inter-league games against York Senior League and the Eastern Conference League this summer.

Vale League chairman Shane Hargrave said: “It’s great to have Raven on board and in recognition of Carl’s commitment he has been invited to display his bats at our pre-season meeting on Monday, April 14 at Fulfordgate WMC (7.30pm).”

Marsden said: “We are delighted that this season will see Raven Cricket in partnership with the York Vale League. We are committed to supporting cricket in the York area through our discounts for local players, and hope to establish ourselves as a major supplier of top quality bats and cricket supplies.

“As a player with Yapham, I know the importance of the league as a place for developing younger players in the York area, and through our support of the Junior Player of the Year Award and six-a-side tournament we are proud to contribute to that tradition.”