After 15 years as secretary to the Airedale & Wharfedale Cricket League, Howard Clayton has returned to his first love – scoring.

In his 16th annual report to the league, Clayton wrote: “As has been increasingly clear over the last several years, I have been away from home more and more in each succeeding summer as my scoring commitments have increased.

“I have always seen cricket scoring as, without doubt, the best part of this noble and wonderful game, and I am both proud and honoured to officiate as media scorer for the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and, as now, the longest-serving scorer at the National Cricket Centre in Loughborough.

“When I got the chance to go to South Africa last winter, it gave me a taste for winter touring as I was able to have time to myself to sit and read the paper with a pot of tea in the hotel lobby before a match or a trip out somewhere if there was no game that day.”

Clayton added: “When I got back to England, it was increasingly hard to settle down to the rigmarole of sitting for hours on end at a computer.

“That feeling, combined with the fact that my time away in summer meant that I could not administer the league to my own satisfaction, and to the standards I felt should be applied to the very important job as league secretary, told me that the time had come to step down.

“Part of me will be sad to let the reins go as I will miss the satisfaction of seeing an event come to fruition, although I will not miss the sometimes interminable chasing of clubs or individuals for replies or payments or whatever.

“I will be staying on the management committee but hope not to be at several meetings if my winter plans for touring and summer hopes for scoring are all realised.

“I will still be looking after the website as I can do all that via e-mail on my laptop.

“I wish to convey my sincere thanks to the many friends I’ve made throughout the years, and would miss the warmth and friendly atmosphere.”

Clayton, who has been replaced by David Alred, was presented with an inscribed crystal decanter and a bottle of his favourite red wine, by umpires’ appointments secretary Mike Hibbert to mark his 15 years’ loyal service.

Meanwhile, David Steel has been elected as the league’s president on a temporary basis until Jim Scally is available to take over.

Steel said to the clubs: “It has not always been easy for the management committee.

“We want your support – let’s just play cricket and enjoy it. We have had some niggling little things to deal with, some of which have been so ridiculous it is not true.”

In addition to Clayton standing down, Brian Warne’s nine-year tenure as treasurer is also over.

Warne, who has been on the league’s committee for 16 years, is being replaced by Alwoodley’s Ian Taylor, said when presenting the accounts: “Financially we can look forward to the future with optimism.”

The league made a profit of £260 for the year ended September 30, 2009, with insurance payments rising by £99 due to an increase in directors and officers’ liability insurance.

League competitions cost £540 this year compared to £257 last year due to the league winning the White Rose Plate event, while the 2008 league dinner made a deficit of £572. Sundry expenses included £92 for putting the league logo on umpires’ shirts.

Steel presented both Clayton and Warne with trophies to mark their service.