Hall Bower stalwart John Peaker was honoured with the Drakes League’s most prestigious award – the FR Stallard Cup.
He received a standing ovation from the 275 guests when league chairman Trevor Atkinson made the announcement at the Drakes annual dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel.
Currently Hall Bower’s cricket secretary, Peaker first joined the club in 1960 and, with the exception of two years at Almondbury, he has been there ever since.
He combines secretary duties with those of treasurer and league representative and started the club’s Under 15 and Under 17 sides.
In recent years, he has overseen work on new practice nets, re-roofing the clubhouse and the creation of new toilets, showers and umpires changing rooms.
He played in Hall Bower’s Sykes Cup-winning team of 1972, when they defeated Honley by 12 runs at Fartown.
Hall Bower posted 148-7 in their 45 overs, with wicket-keeper Peaker scoring 17 at No6 while opener Barry Robertshaw batted through for 88 not out.
Peaker then had four victims, including two stumped (one of those opener Rob Hardy for 61), as Honley were removed for 136 with Terry Woodhouse taking eight for 61 in 21 overs.
He also played in the final the previous year, when the Bower went down to Elland.
Peaker also helped Hall Bower win the Goulder Trophy and was in several promotion sides from the old Section B, in the days of two divisions.
In 1987, he was awarded the league’s Lady Sykes Candlesticks for his services to his club and the game.
