A SUPERB nine-wicket haul for Chain-Wire earned Steve Horne the Evening News/Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd. Cricketer of the Week award.

The medium-fast swing bowler took advantage of overcast conditions to return figures of 9-16, off 12.4 overs, in the Stourport-based side's five-wicket victory against Brintons in the Worcestershire County League division six.

His match-winning contribution helped carpet Brintons all out for 65.

"The ball was swinging like a banana," said the 31-year-old from Kidderminster. The pitch was a bit of a pudding but it was good conditions for bowling even though the track favoured the batsmen.

"But they needed to get forward and a lot of them didn't have the patience to play that sort of game," he added.

The match was only Steve's third since returning from a three-year break from the game. It was the first time he'd ever taken nine wickets in an innings, his previous best being eight.

His successful comeback has won him a £30 voucher to be spent at Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd. in Sherriff Street, Worcester.

To feature your side -- be it league, friendly, junior, schools or ladies' cricket -- drop your reports into the Evening News offices in Hylton Road, Worcester, fax them on 01905-748009 or e-mail us at: wensport@newsquestmidlands.co.uk.

Reports must reach us no later than 12 noon on Tuesday to be eligible for the week's award. The sports editor's decision is final.