MARTIN Phillips was installed as The Oxford Times Cherwell League's new chairman last night with a ringing endorsement from his predecessor Derek Primett.

Phillips, from Banbury, was voted in at the league's annual meeting at Bicester & North Oxford CC with Primett - who becomes the first life president - unable to continue due to ill health.

In a speech read out to club representatives by secretary Peter Tomlin, Primett said: "I heartily endorse the nomination of Martin Phillips to succeed me as chairman of the league."

And showing he has lost none of his sense of humour, the Stanton St John Willows stalwart went on: "Martin and I have been friends and colleagues for many years, and as we come from clubs of equal stature it seems fitting that Martin should be nominated.

"I will certainly miss the day-to-day running of the league and the hands-on involvement.

"I am lucky to have been well-served by a hard-working, conscientious executive committee where change of personnel over the years has not changed the league principals or ideals.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all member clubs and the management for their support over my years as chairman, and also more recently for the cards, telephone calls and get well messages.

"The nomination for me to be life president of the Cherwell League came as a great surprise and was very humbling.

"I will treat this position very seriously and help and assist in any way possible. I wish the league every success for the coming years and look forward to seeing many of you on cricket grounds in the future."

Phillips told clubs: "Thank you very much for the honour that you bestow on me by making me chairman, although it is rather sad because of the circumstances that Derek cannot carry on."

He added that the league had quite a diffuclt job with the range of ages playing, and the varying levels of ability.

"It is not easy to get the balance correct, but I think over the years the balance has been well managed which is shown by clubs still coming to join us," he said.

Twyford and Great Brick- hill were elected into the league, and it's planned to merge Divisions 7 and 8 to create two new sections on a geographical basis - similar to Divisions 9A and 9B.

Registration for players taking part in Division 7 downwards and for under 14s and 15s is to be scrapped.

Quotas for registered players in Divisions 1-6 are also to be introduced - something which sparked concern among some clubs.

Officers elected - president: D Primett; chairman: M Phillips; secretary: P Tomlin; treasurer: J Lodge; fixture secretary: J Pearson; executive committee members: M Boyden, D Brooks, Tariq Mehmood, C Ricks, G Stearn, K White.