IT'S been an outstanding season in the Shepherd Neame Kent Village Cricket League with some stunning performances both by teams and individuals.

Right at the forefront was Woodchurch's Mark Paine who became the first player to score over 700 runs in a season.

The league's young player of the season in 1990, his performances deservedly earned him the Chairman's Award for 2002.

Paine, a talented all-rounder who has previously won the Division 1 batting awards in 1994 and 1999 and the bowling award for 1998, reclaimed the batting award this summer. But his side had to settle for third place after a storming display by champions Stockbury.

The 2002 young player of the year award went to Harbledown's 17-year-old all-rounder Gavin Dixon who was fifth in the Division 2 bowling lists this season. The Pauline Cane Memorial award was won by Holborough's Ray Pettitt.

It was a fine swansong for retiring chairman David Daniels who also saw his own side, Great Chart, clinch promotion to Division 1 as runners-up to Holborough Valley. He stands down after four years as chairman following 12 years as vice-chairman.

The new chairman, only the fifth in the league's 30-year history is Headcorn's Peter West.

At the annual meeting Horsmonden and Street End were elected in to replace Bossingham and Yalding who have withdrawn from the league.

On the pitch there were a number of great battles. Dymchurch only snatched Division 3 on run rate from Brook, and Hawkinge marked their first season as champions just edging out Smarden on run rate.

Mersham Le Hatch followed up their triumph last season as Division 6 champions by also convincingly winning Division 5 in fine style from Headcorn.

Shepherd Neame's Bryan Mulhern confirmed that the Kent brewers are to continue their long sponsorship of the league.

East Malling's James Davison had a terrific year in Division 3 winning the batting award and finishing second in the bowling to Chris Hodgson (Minster). Despite an up and down season Mersham Le Hatch's former Kent man Stuart Waterton was just edged out of the batting award by Paul Jenner from Southfleet and the Hatch had three bowlers in the top ranks just behind winner David Leppard of Hunton.