IT was an exciting weekend for Leigh Cricket Club when they received visits from a Lancashire CC star and Centurions’ Grand Final winners.

Lancashire’s one-day player of the year Karl Brown was on hand to present awards at the club’s annual presentation evening.

However, there was also a visit for the youngsters from Centurions’ Sean Penkywicz, Cameron Pitman and Jamie Action, accompanied by head of rugby Derek Beaumont, who brought with them their recent silverware.

There was a lifetime achievement award for council and committee member John Gregory, also made an honorary life member of the club, while Karen Brereton witnessed the junior section scoop a host of prizes.

It was a successful season overall for the club, with the first team finishing runners-up in the Ray Digman Cup, the second team turning a relegation threat into a comfortable mid-table finish and the third string winning the league title.

As for the visit of the town’s rugby league stars, Leigh CC chairman Paul Vallance said: “The Centurions party were a real inspiration to all and a credit to their home town Leigh.

“We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and will be looking to invest heavily in further new kit and equipment which will further benefit the junior ranks at our club.”

Head of rugby Beaumont added: “I was delighted to present the award and I was touched to see so many Leigh boys and girls involved with the cricket club.

“The Centurions are looking to establish close links with the community clubs of Leigh and to this end took reserve team games ‘on the road’ around the community clubs, playing at Leigh Miners, Leigh East, Golborne Parkside and Leigh RU.

“But the link does not just include rugby clubs and we recognise what a fantastic community resource the town’s cricket club provides, playing at a high level of the game in the prestigious Liverpool and District Competition and having provided several players like Steve Mullaney and Karl Brown to the first-class ranks.”

Beaumont and Brown hosted Q and A sessions, while Centurions handed a cheque to Leigh CC president Dennis O'Halloran for £1,000.

Leigh Juniors had earned the award by being judged the ‘best turned out team’ by Beaumont and club historian Mike Latham during the pre-match parade at the club’s highly successful Heritage Day in August at LSV.

Leigh CC now turn their attention to hosting a firework display on November 5.