DENIS KAYE is taking it easy after completing a top achievement which combined his two favourite pastimes, cricket and walking.

For the sprightly 75-year-old has now seen his beloved Kexborough play at every Drakes League ground – and got there on foot. The final mission, from his Barnsley home to Micklehurst last Saturday, was more than a marathon – 28 miles to be exact. Kaye, who was born in bred in Huddersfield but moved to South Yorkshire when he became a miner in 1961, set off at 3.00 in the morning.

He reached Holmfirth four hours later, then headed over the tops via the A635 Isle of Skye road, making it to Micklehurst, near Mossley, at 11.15.

“I mistimed it a little bit, and I had a few hours to fill, but I don’t like walking in the midday sun,” explained the former Kexborough player, who is now a lifemember of the club.

Kaye, who attended Moldgreen School and played for Dalton, Almondbury and Lascelles Hall before leaving Huddersfield, began walking to grounds when he stopped playing in 1960.

“We were away to Scholes and it was a perfect day for a walk, so that’s what I did,” said the man who made Kexborough history in 1974, when he became the first player to hit a century at their current ground.

“I decided to have a go at walking to a few more, and the idea to complete the lot took off from there.”

Kaye, whose dad Norman played for Paddock, actually had the full set of Drakes League grounds in 2002, but the admission of Micklehurst in 2005 left him with another trek.

“For one reason or another, the right time to complete the walk didn’t come until this year, so it’s great to finally get it done,” he added.

Despite Kexborough suffering a narrow two-run defeat, Kaye insisted: “I enjoyed the whole day, although I was pleased I was getting a lift back home!”