The Lucas Fettes Norfolk Cricket League Executive Committee have announced that Chris Alger of Rollesby Cricket Club is the winner of the Player of the Month award for July.

In the four completed games played in July Chris returned figures of 45.1 overs, four maidens, 16 wickets for 110 runs at an average of only 6.88.

Chris' bowling exploits this season have played a big part in Rollesby setting the pace in Division One, although he was very quick to point out that success this season has been an all-round team effort.

He said: 'So many of the boys have been on form this season it has been a real pleasure. I am very happy to receive this award having narrowly missed out in August 2002 behind my team-mate Alex Chaney, but playing in a winning team has really helped this season. Dave Cook has also been bowling superbly, and with plenty of runs coming from the top order this has helped us control games in a way that we couldn't last year.'

Presenting the award on behalf of league sponsors Lucas Fettes & Partners was Gary Knights who said that Chris' performance over the month was 'an excellent one, averaging four wickets a game, coupled with accurate and economical bowling. His contributions clearly helped Rollesby to consolidate their position at the top of Division One'.

Narrowly missing out on the award was another Division One opening bowler, Paul Vickers of Great Yarmouth. Also in four completed games, Paul returned figures of 36.4 overs, 12 maidens, 13 wickets for 98 runs at an average of 7.54.

The Lucas Fettes Norfolk Cricket League Executive Committee also announced that William Rogers of Great Witchingham Cricket Club is the winner of the Young Player of the Month Award for July.

Twelve-year-old William took nine wickets in July at an average of 14.10 (including best figures of 6-44 against Hingham A) and also scored 95 runs at an average of 47.50 (including a high score of 62no against Garboldisham C).

William – son of former Norfolk captain Carl Rogers – recorded his third half century of the season following scores of 64 against Blundeston and 52no against Martham A – and that despite breaking a toe in the innings when on 30.

Winning the award clearly meant a lot to William who said: 'My team-mates have helped me a lot and I really feel like I am making progress this season.

'I am happy to be able to help my team achieve results and recognition of this through winning awards is great.'

William said that he definitely prefers batting, although his left arm chinamen have also proved very useful to Great Witchingham's cause, and he enjoyed some banter with his proud dad declaring that 'dad doesn't really spin the ball!'

Looking ahead, William said that he was 'hoping to play in the second team most weeks next season' and he is also looking to continue his development with the Norfolk junior teams, scoring a century for the under-12s against Suffolk last week.

Asked to comment on William's achievements, dad Carl said: 'I hope that he keeps working and training hard so that more awards like this come his way. Most importantly he needs to concentrate on enjoying the game and also the success when it comes along.'

Pushing William close for the award was 16-year-old Warren Fossey of Old Catton CC playing in their first team in Division One.

• CAPTAIN COOKE PREPARING TO DANCE TO THE WEATHER GODS

Old Catton club captain Jonathan Cooke has pledged to do a sun dance all week to ensure that the weather does not scupper a grandstand finish to the Norfolk League Division One title race.

Either leaders Rollesby or second-placed Catton will lift the champonship, which was left in the balance after Rollesby suffered a surprise derby defeat at Yarmouth on Saturday.

Matt Duxbury's men were forced to leave their champagne uncorked after the Beaconsfield reverse opened the door for Catton, who beat Cringleford Lodge. All eyes are now on the final matches of the campaign this weekend which see Catton travel to relegated Hales and Loddon A while Rollesby face a potentially tricky visit of third-placed East Harling.

'If we get 24 points by beating Hales and Loddon A, which without sounding disrespectful we would expect to do, Rollesby will need to win, or, if they lose, get at least 10 points, and there are not too many games where a losing team gets 10 points,'said Cooke. 'If Rollesby don't play they will win the title so I will be doing a sun dance all week.'

The Postwick-based Catton team will be heading for a new challenge next season if they can manage to secure title success for the first time.

'We have applied to join the Norfolk Alliance and been accepted but the only definite route in is by winning the title,' said Cooke.