Bobby Cross in action against Littleborough at Crimble last season
BY STEVE MCHUGH: Bobby Cross is leaving the Central Lancashire League with a remarkable legacy.
The 32-year-old has won the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy, awarded to the League’s leading amateur run-scorer, for a seventh time in 14 years.
And the Heywood opener will be presented with his award at the annual CLL dinner a week on Friday, when skipper Danny Pawson will also pick up the T20 Trophy on behalf of the club.
The Sir Frank Worrell Trophy is judged on League and Wood Cup runs. In the former, Cross scored 776 at an average of 45.45, and his total was surpassed only by professionals Danny Salpietro (1,060 for Norden) and Wes Lansdale (880 for Rochdale).
Pawson, who will be Heywood’s paid man when they go into the newly-formed Greater Manchester Premier League (GMPL) next year, was not far behind in fifth place with 632 League runs at an average of 45.14.
That underlines why Heywood were so keen to hang on to a nurtured talent, who can also keep wicket and bowl useful medium-pacers, in the face of interest from at least two other leading clubs.
Behind Cross and Pawson in the averages were the likes of Littleborough’s Chris Schofield, the former England all-rounder, and Clinton Perren, the classy Australian who was having his first season as an amateur after several years as paid man at Hare Hill.
Cross also made 100 runs in the Wood Cup, and his overall total for the season – taking into account the T20 and the Lancs KO Cup – was 1,144.
It completes a remarkable career in the CLL, and one that he will undoubtedly extend in the GMCL, after making his first team debut for Heywood at the age of 14 in 1997.
He first won the leading amateur run-scoring trophy back in 2002, and the person closest to him since the Worrell award was inaugurated in 1968 is Peter Wilcock, who finished top in three successive years from 1997-1999.
Cross’s overall statistics for Heywood also make exceptional reading, his career total of 14,064 League and Wood Cup runs containing 18 centuries and 86 half centuries.
A one-club man, too … a rarity indeed!
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- Cross Steps Down As Heywood Captain
- Silverware In Abundance – And A Box Of Alcohol – From CLL Dinner
- Cross Interview Part 1: Pawson Will Blossom As Captain
- Kaye, Cross and Pawson In The Company Of Heywood CC Legends
- Cross Awarded Special Recognition Award At OSCAS
- Cross: We Can Be Proud Of Our Achievements, But Slightly Frustrated
- JW LEES WOOD CUP: This Was Best Moment Of My Heywood Career
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Many congratulations Bobby a class act, a Heywood legend.
Very many congratulations Bobby – what a servant you have been to the club – long may it continue into GMPL next season and beyond.
But 32 year old? Where on earth have those years gone? I remember those early years in the seconds when you were already showing us old sods how to bat – under the wonderful tutelage of CJ wasn’t it?
Pity he couldn’t emulate my hundred run / hundred ball strike rate in Wood Cup Finals
Absolutely outstanding figures and more to come.It certainly attracts many to Crimble and has over the years.It’s a pleasure to watch.
Well done mate. Always a quality player
Well batted Dave!
Well Done Bobby
I had the pleasure of seeing bobby bat on my recent trip to Crimble.
What a player, he made 84 from memory, and set up the win for Heywood.
It was a memorable day for me, to catch up with old friends & Teamates
And see that beautiful ground on a sunny day.
Best of luck Heywood in GMPL
Trevor Brown
Perth
Western Australia
Congrats to Bobby and also to the club
I suspect you will enjoy new challenges next year and you know Heywood are always welcome to tour down here again in Worcestershire should you so wish although I know Chris Kaye thinks the boundaries are too short!!