I WISH to record a personal tribute to my dear friend, Neil Hawke, whose tough fight for life over the past 20 years ended on Christmas Day.

Neil will be remembered throughout the world with deep affection by a great number of people as a sociable man, who made friends easily and was always a generous host.

As a young man he was a fine athlete who excelled at Australian Rules Football and cricket in Adelaide, South Australia.

Neil arrived at Nelson as club professional in 1967. He was then a current Australian Test player, eventually concluding his career the following summer on the tour of England. He played 27 Tests, took 91 wickets and scored 365 runs.

Memories -- can we ever forget his partnership with Peter Burge that turned the Leeds Test match in 1964 or that he became F S Trueman's 300th Test wicket, also his 10 for 115 in 1964-65 at Georgetown against a mighty West Indian side of Sobers, Kanhai, Nurse et al!

His Lancashire League career encompassed Nelson for three seasons and East Lancashire for four.

Both terms were highly successful -- two championship titles with Nelson in 1967 and 1969 were matched with two at East Lancashire in seasons 1972 and 1973 along with two Worsley Cup Finals a win in 1971 and a loss in 1972.

Needless to say, his own contribution throughout his professional years was substantial, both on and off the field for both clubs. His formula for success was simple, create a good team spirit, match it with a desire to win and have plenty of enjoyment.

He was proved to be correct.

As an East Lancashire player during those four seasons, I can confirm Neil had a magnetic presence on the field, was extremely competitive and his infectious desire for success rubbed off on all his team mates.

The "Hawke" really was something very special and rarely failed to colour a game in some way.

Neil's pride was his Australian 'green baggy' cap. When the team needed that little bit extra from him, we'd get the cap out of his bag, tell him to get it on his head and he seemed to become an even better player.

That 'green baggy' spirit, combined with the magnificent support given by his loyal wife, Beverley, has been a wonderful partnership over the arduous and tough last 20 years, as he suffered through continual ill-health.

In cricket terms, his incredible fight for life has been without any doubt his greatest-ever performance.

During those most difficult years he was grateful for the support given by the many Lancashire friends with whom Neil maintained contact up until the final few weeks of his life.

In his book 'Bowled Over,' his personal message to me above his signature was 'Never give anything less than your best.'

Neil Hawke truly fulfilled that ideal in all he undertook. His passing will be sadly mourned by all of us privileged to have enjoyed his friendship and company.

J KENYON (ex-East Lancashire player and coach).