Three groundsmen net awards

26 April 2005

Delighted winners Keith Exton, Chris Westbrook and Ian le Marquand are presented with their awards by ECB Pitches Consultant Chris Wood

ECB Pitches Consultant Chris Wood presented three groundsmen with the Cricket World & Pitchcare Cricket Groundsman of the Year Award for 2004 at Lord’s.

The awards, now in their second year, recognise the hard work and high standards achieved by cricket groundsmen in the recreational game and are split into three categories - educational establishment, private club and local authority.

Treble the nominations were received for this year's awards compared to last year with judging of the shortlisted entries taking place during March at locations as far apart as Newcastle and Jersey.

The presentations were made to Keith Exton, Chris Westbrook and Ian le Marquand in the presence of sponsors and invited guests.

The winners then enjoyed lunch at the Lord's Tavern before taking their Executive Box seats in the grandstand to enjoy the afternoon's play between Middlesex and Nottinghamshire last week.