THE new Feversham League season began with a poignant moment before the opening fixture between Spout House and Gillamoor.

The game was preceded by a short ceremony to dedicate a memorial honouring the Spout House secretary for 66 years, William Ainslie, who died in 2012.

An engraved stone set in the top boundary wall, it forms a companion to a similar stone in memory of Mr Ainslie's predecessor, his grandfather.

Members of the family were present, as was league chairman David Westhead.

The match itself took place in a biting wind that whipped up the valley, sometimes lifting the bails on the exposed hillside ground. The weather had veterans recalling similar early-season evenings when some wore three sweaters and two pairs of trousers.

The key moment in the match was when Gillamoor fielder Jack Hall held an awkward running catch at deep fine leg to remove star batsman Brian Leckenby for one. Leckenby was making his Spout House debut after transferring from High Farndale.

Hall went on to earn man-of-the-match status by taking 5-16, including a double-wicket maiden in the first over, as Spout House struggled to 76-9 in reply to Gillamoor's 89-8 in their 16 overs.

Hall's victims included top scorer Barry Wheldon, whose 27 included four fours.

For Gillamoor, Connor Campbell reached 10 before being bowled by Jonathon Leckenby, who recorded excellent figures of 4-12. However, John Lumley, taking his chances on a wicket with often terminal low bounce, carried Gillamoor forward with an undefeated 40, including the season's first six on the Spout House ground.

Following Gillamoor's 13-run victory, there was a convivial gathering in the pub where Mr Ainslie was the former landlord.

As for the new season, league spokesman Charles Allenby said: "Contrary to negative rumours earlier this year forecasting the demise of the league, it has managed to survive for another season, thanks to the dedication and belief of the four remaining clubs - Gillamoor, High Farndale, Slingsby and Spout House - who all consider this historic league to be worth preserving for as long as possible."