The glittering occasion, organised by the NYSD, with a packed audience provided a fitting back drop for the winners.
The awards are seen as an important link between the County and the south of the region – they are open to clubs, cricketers and individuals in the NYSD, Darlington, Langbaurgh and Cleveland leagues, as well as other cricketing organisations.
The 2011 awards resulted as follows –
Player of the Year – James Clarkson (Richmondshire)
James enjoyed an outstanding season in the NYSD Premier Division, finishing second in the batting charts after scoring 807 runs at an average of 47. As well as his runs he also captured 33 league wickets at an impressive 21 runs apiece, finishing seventh in the bowling averages, and claimed 8 catches. In all club games he made 1015 runs and ended with 50 wickets, and featured in all the NYSD national inter-league matches.
Emerging Player of the Year (18 and under) – David Seymour (Stockton)
David’s season stats showed he scored 1254 runs in all games, but a closer examination of the make up of those figures reveals that the 17 year-old excelled in Stockton’s first team, scoring 462 in the NEPL’s top division. In addition, he was leading run scorer for Durham’s successful under 17 team who reached the ECB County Cup Final, making 360 for the county at an average of 45.
Volunteer of the Year – Dave Beach (Marske)
With a name like Beach the only place for this man is at the seaside, and the Marske scorebox has been Dave’s home for more than 50 years. Dave began scoring in the 1950’s and he’s still at it to this very day – he says he was inspired by Bill Frindall and Brian Hunt, but it’s safe to say that as one of the game’s great unsung heroes he has been an inspiration to many others. Of course, Dave has also recorded many outstanding national and county triumphs, having also scored for the NYSD League teams since 1975.