IT was a ‘first’ for the I’Anson Competitions when they held a presentations night in conjunction with Lashings CC who played a number of fixtures in the area last season.

The presentation dinner was at Farnham Rugby Club on Friday and, through Lashings’ connections, the special guest was Devon Malcolm, England’s fastest bowler in recent times.

He presented the I’Anson’s Player of the Season trophies and there were repeat presentations to the divisional champions.

Lashings then organised a question-and-answer session with Devon Malcolm who, inevitably, was probed about his legendary spell of 9-57 against South Africa at the Oval in 1994.

After being hit on the helmet, the normally genial Malcolm informed the South Africans “You guys are history” and proceeded to blow them away with the most hostile bowling of his career.

Aks Ilyas, captain of Puttenham, the 2016 I’Anson champions, was named the Division One Players of the Season. Ilyas took 44 wickets at an average of 9.16 to take the Jack Warner Trophy ahead of Tilford’s Nigel Martyn who claimed 40 victims.

The other Player of the Year winners were:

Division 2 Ken Williams Trophy: Ollie Pearce (Lurgashall) 519 runs & 36 wickets. Division 3 Graham Collyer Trophy: Derek Agge (Thursley) 817 runs & 41 wickets. Division 4 Chris Yates Trophy: Jonathan Ashworth (Grayswood II) 50 wickets & 354 runs. Division 5 Peter Clapham Trophy: Simon Mansell (Blackheath II) 24 wickets & 190 runs. Division 6 Kevin Williams Trophy: Neil Cornwell (Headley III) 24 wickets & 229 runs.

Based in Maidstone, Kent, Lashings CC regularly include international cricketers in their line-up.

Richie Richardson, Brian Lara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Gordon Greenidge, Courtney Walsh, Allan Donald and Sir Viv Richards have all turned out for the club which was founded by David Folb in 1984.

I’Anson delegates will be asked to vote on proposals to restructure the competition at the 2016 ADM, to be held at Headley pavilion this Tuesday (Nov 8).

The first few resolutions will deal with whether the I’Anson moves to ten-team divisions, and if so, when.

The management commitee has circulated clubs ahead of the meeting, reminding I’Anson members of the consequences, in terms of promotion and relegation, of each of the resolutions.