KEMPSEY have picked up an England and Wales Cricket Board Clubmark accreditation certificate.

More than 70 members, parents, sponsors and players were present when ex-Worcestershire cricketer Stuart Lampitt presented the award to chairman Maurice Smith.

Lampitt, now the county's cricket development manager, congratulated the club on their achievement, being the 779th club in England and Wales to attain such an award.

He said: "Clubs have a vital role to play in the development of young players.

"Clubmark will set the entry level for an increasing network of cricket clubs providing good quality cricket programmes for young people.

"In addition, the Clubmark accreditation scheme is fully integrated with Safe Hands', the ECB's welfare of young people in cricket policy.

"Having a vibrant and healthy cricket club infrastructure is at the very bedrock of the ECB policy and planning."

Smith said the award was down to almost four years of hard work by club members and the introduction of the junior section which now has more than 50 boys and girls aged between seven and 16.

Kempsey will continue their development next season and intend to apply for a senior place in the Worcestershire League. They also want to start an all-girls' team.

Lampitt also presented trophies to winners of the 2006 awards, including female cricketer of the year Kerry Smith and most improved player James Silvanus-Davis.

In their latest 40-over friendly, Kempsey faced Old Georgians and elected to field first after winning the toss.

With an early breakthrough and tight bowling, Kempsey kept the scoring down.

But Jim Cooper (90) and R Lees (37) revived Old Georgians who survived three easy catch chances to make 219-6.

Lance Ohren and David Robinson picked up two wickets each. In reply, Ohren (30) and Barney Akhtar (36) gave Kempsey a good start.

Rameez Choudry (46) and Derek Obrey (19no) improved matters after a dip but they lost by 23 runs in the end.