FORMER England and Middlesex cricketer Clive Radley and, until last year the head coach at Lord's,was the guest speaker at the annual lunch of the Cornish Crusaders Cricket Club held at the Hotel Bristol, Newquay.

Radley, who made 46 centuries for Middlesex and took 517 catches, often captained his county and in his eight Test averaged 48.

He was introduced by Sir Robert Hicks, who, in his time as an MP, captained the House of Commons cricket team.

Radley's wife Lynda, was presented with a copy of Daphne du Maurier's Vanishing Cornwall, autographed by her son Christian Browning.

Making his first appearance at a Crusaders' lunch was Roy Harris, an outstanding batsman for Cornwall in the 1950s.

Roy also played rugby for Redruth and Plymouth Albion. A piece of Crusaders' history was made when 13-year-old Daniel Lello of Hayle received the EK Brown Cup for the most promising newcomer to Crusaders cricket.

Daniel made his debut with Tim Heald's XI at Fowey, making him the youngest player to get a Crusaders award.

Cornish Guardian sports editor Kevin Marriott was present to see Joe Warren of Foxhole win the Fred Peel-Yates fielding cup.

Fred was Fanfare of the Cornish Guardian for mote than third of a century and believed fielding was a vital part of the game. Joe is the first Foxhole cricketer to win a club trophy.

The Crusaders open their 2010 season on May 20 with a game against the Cornwall Development XI. Mark George of St Just will captain the Crusaders and Sir Robert Hicks will be the match adjudicator.

There is also a fixture against the MCC at Paul on July 29. Rob Harrison will skipper the Crusaders with Cornwall Cricket Club chairman, Col Ronnie Potts, the match adjudicator.

Cricket history will be celebrated at Hayle on Saturday July 3 when a Crusaders lunch will be held in the pavilion recalling the first cricket played in Cornwall at St Teath on that date in 1781.

A further link with that cricketing past is the single wicket championship which will be staged by the Crusaders at Grampound Road.

The champion will receive the White Hart of St Teath Cup. donated by landlord Barry Burton, who was at the well attended lunch with his sister Jenny.

Pamela Noy and Zelda Woods raised more than £270 with their raffles and a replica of the Ashes' urn, donated by MCC member Tony Hackett of St Columb Major, was auctioned by Peter George fetching £50.