ENGLAND international cricketer Monty Panesar was present at the Westmorland Cricket League's presentation night, where Tony Jones of Warton collected a League Achievement Award.

Seventeen clubs attended the event - the 27th one to take place - at which Panesar was guest speaker.

Many awards were given out for players across all five divisions including the under 19s age group.

The League Achievement award was given to Tony Jones due to his commitment to the sport and the Westmorland Cricket League and Warton CC.

Tony Jones started his cricketing career in 1963 joining the same club that his father had played at for a few years after the war.

He played from 1963 to 1999 – 36 years so just a few games and by the end of his playing career had amassed over 7000 runs and over 750 wickets so you could say he was a bit of an all rounder.

He was captain, reaching 3 cup finals. By 1990 a minute from a club meeting described him as a fixture at the club and also by that time he had proved himself as an off-field worker and holder of several offices at the club.

He is currently one of the 'gang of four' who, week in week out, attend the club to maintain both the ground and buildings. His own major contribution is being the club arsonist; if it is not tied down it will be burnt. His playing days dwindled away in 1999 but to compensate and give back he became an umpire on the League panel.

Not content with serving his club and umpires, in 2003 he joined the League Management Committee and served in various guises for 10 years

The award recognised jointly his 36 years a player, 18 an umpire and 10 on the management committee, as well as his impressive record of never missing a league dinner in 27 years.