ANDY Platt gained himself a belated birthday present by winning the Evening News/Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd. Cricketer of the Week award.

The Stourport bowler, who was 36 on Monday, scooped the award by taking 7-49, including a hat-trick, in a Worcestershire County League Division Two clash with local rivals Bewdley.

But his heroics were not enough to win the match, as Bewdley held on for a draw with nine wickets down in a thrilling finish at Walshes Meadow.

However, medium-pacer Platt was still able to celebrate career-best figures as well as his first hat-trick as he bought the post-match jugs of beer.

He said: "With it being Bewdley as well, it's a local derby and they are our great rivals, that made it more satisfying.

"Two of the wickets were probably down to bad shots but the rest it was just tight bowling.

"We batted first and scored 194 and at one stage it did look like they were going to get them, but we just kept going and the wickets started falling."

It was in his penultimate over that Platt claimed his hat-trick. "The first two were both caught behind by our wicketkeeper Jim Cook and the third one was bowled. It was a great feeling."

Platt, who lives in Kidderminster, has been at Stourport for 14 years, interspersed by one season at Stourbridge. He began his career with the old Spetchley club.

He wins a £40 voucher to be spent at Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd. at Unit 10 Sherriff Street, Worcester.

Don't miss out on the award by ensuring your club or school is featured in our weekly round-up of club cricket.

Drop your reports in at our Hylton Road offices in Worcester, fax them on 01905-748009, or e-mail us at: wensport@ thisisworcester.co.uk

Reports must reach us by 12 noon on Tuesday to be considered for that week's award. The sports editor's decision is final.