FOR a man who celebrates his 50th birthday next Thursday, Walkden's Bernard Reidy is showing no signs of taking his foot off the accelerator.

In fact, quite the reverse. Following his well-documented exploits at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, it was his massive six-hit that secured the vital bonus point at Astley Bridge on Saturday following a below-par display from all the side's senior batsmen with the honourable exception of Matt Parkinson.

On Sunday he posted his first half-century for three years in the face of Greenmount's triple hundred inspired by Gary Chadwick, while in the field his 42 cheap wickets and 15 catches tell their own story. One way and another, Walkden's match at Sharples Park was quite a game for the golden oldies.

For the Bridge Stephen Holt took 6 for 48, possibly a career-best, while Steve Entwistle's superb diving catch to dismiss John Hinks was one of which his father and brother, both notable fielders in their day, would have been proud.

Soon it will be time for those who rule in these matters to announce the names of the players of the year, both amateur and professional.

Several pros could lay some sort of claim to the award. Smith, Dalugoda, De Silva, White and O'Rourke have each returned more than adequate all-round figures, and Klinger, Hirwani and Fazal Akber have either batted or bowled superbly.

But the three paid men who stand out are those of Bradshaw, Tonge and Greenmount.

Wade Wingfield should go past the 1,000-run mark to add to his 61 wickets. Adil Nisar has topped four figures for the second consecutive season and, should he be offered two chances this weekend, he could well break Tommy Gill's 62-year-old club catching record.

But last year's winner, Robin Morris, who became the 10th Greenmount player in 20 years to score 1,000 runs on Saturday, is a strong contender. He also has 74 wickets, 14 of which were instrumental in his club's Hamer Cup triumph as well as 17 catches and all that added together would entitle him to my vote.

The Warburton Trophy for the amateur Player-of-the-Year is not quite so straightforward an affair. On the batting side four players stand out, each having exceeded 800 runs.

Bennison and Garner have been fighting it out at the top of the averages for several weeks now, with the Walkden player having the additional bonus of having captained his side to two major trophies.

Paul Rayment and Rick Northrop have each hit over 500 runs in their last nine innings, with a combined 11 50s and two centuries to their credit. Excellent inter-league contributions and 29 wicket-keeping victims are additional extras to their respective claims.

Mention of inter-league cricket brings to mind Matt Parkinson, who did the League proud on two successive occasions in addition to his 450 runs and 35 cheap wickets for Walkden. Two other all-rounders are Dave Smith, with 445 runs and 58 wickets, the same number as Mike Crookson, who has, however, outscored the Walkden player to date, and you would have got very long odds indeed before the season began against that happening.

On the bowling front it is the usual suspects, Ian Taylor (63) and Mark Stewart (68), with Will Halton the only other amateur bowler to go through the 50-wicket barrier. But me, I'd have to go for Rick Northrop, biased as I am in favour of the all too often under-appreciated wicketkeeper.