Yorkshire - by Royal Appointment

It was a fitting way for the winners to end their victorious CricInfo Championship season. Not at Headingley or Scarborough in front of their home crowd, but the official "knighting" of the victorious Yorkshire team at Buckingham Palace in the presence of HRH Prince Philip.

This little-publicised event takes place every year. The winning Championship team, support staff, and wives and girlfriends, are invited to the Palace to receive their Championship medals from the Lord's Taverners, who donated the Trophy itself back in the early 70s and have continued their friendly association with England's first class competition ever since.

It is also an opportunity for the Taverners, the recognised national charity for cricket, led by Chief Executive Mark Williams, to update His Royal Highness on the progress of their charitable work over the past year, ensuring that children throughout the UK get the chance to play cricket.

Many of those present today weren't even born when the trophy was first awarded. Of Yorkshire's youthful squad, India-bound Matthew Hoggard and Richard Dawson, whose responsibilities have been undeniably increased by recent events, seemed mighty unaffected by their new international seniority. Of the older players, David Byas spoke warmly of his team and his absent team-mates, in one of his last engagements for the game from which he has resolved to make a clean break in favour of the family farm. And a seemingly refreshed Darren Gough played court jester for a while.

But of all of those present today, it is perhaps the trophy itself that is in the greatest demand. Yorkshire folk are mighty proud of their team, and CricInfo has it on good authority that the Lord's Taverners trophy will be appearing at a Yorkshire pub, cricket club, or charity dinner near you in the near future.

Prince Philip displayed his continuing affection for cricket that spans the generations, showing himself as familiar with current Yorkshire talisman Darren Gough as he was with Brian Close, captain of the last Yorkshire team to win the Championship, insisting that he appears in the official team photograph. It is often overlooked that Prince Philip is a "cricket man" - the official 12th Man of the Lords Taverners.

You get the feeling that it wasn't the last trip to the Palace that these Yorkshire players will make.

The Lord's Taverners

The Lord's Taverners is the recognised national charity for cricket, and supports inner city schools and various youth cricket clubs by funding all weather pitches, cricket equipment and Kwik cricket kits, as well as providing coaching and sponsoring youth competitions.

The charity finances specially adapted minibuses capable of transporting up to 15 young people to recreational and sporting activities outside their home or school. Each bus is tailored to the individual requirements of the recipient organisation and costs around £30,000 each. During the year 2000 the Lord's Taverners presented their 500th bus and hope to consistently be able to fund one bus every week of the year.

The Charity supports sport and recreation for young people with disabilities by financing specialist equipment such as pool hoists and multi-sensory play equipment.

For more information about the Lord's Taverners please visit their website at www.lordstaverners.org