Jordan Taylor was named premier team player of the year by captain Mark Thomas at Swardeston’s annual awards dinner, held at The Parson Woodforde.
Thomas outlined the candidates for the award: Peter Lambert – 780 league runs, 1000 overall; Callum Taylor – 700 league runs; Jordan Taylor – 620 league runs, 1000 overall; Michael Eccles – 38 league wickets, 56 overall; George Walker 37 league wickets, 61 overall; Sam Thelwell – 36 league wickets, 51 overall.
Thomas said: “As last year it comes back to our opening partnership and in my experience we have never had a really good batting opening partnership and now with Lambo and Jordy, they have set a good platform in every game.
“I always think the first game of the season is crucial, luckily enough the last four to five years we have always won. Last season’s game was a little too close for comfort but a certain youngster by the name of Jordy ‘Vivian Richards’ Taylor, scored 53 not out and saw the innings though which helped to win the game. Jordy is my player of the season.”
Unofrtunately Jordy was unable to pick up the award in person as he is spending the winter in Wellington, New Zealand playing for Karori CC alongside former Swardeston overseas Jono Sole. So brother Callum stepped in to accept the award on Jordy’s behalf.
Callum Taylor receives the 1st XI player of the year trophy from skipper Mark Thomas on behalf of the winner his brother Jordan Taylor.
Robert O’Donnell picked up the John Bobbin Salver as 2nd XI player of the year, and was presented the award by captain Ben Hogg.
Ben said: “Candidates were Barry Singleton, who is unfortunately leaving us this year to go back to Leeds. He will be missed for his bowling, 172.5 overs, 37 maidens, 19 wickets with an average of 28, this equates to all year he went for just over 3 runs per over, which in our team, is pretty good. Another remarkable performance was by Alex Levinson, 120 not out against Lowestoft, also Ian Tufts, whose 61 not out against Fakenham held our innings together, and played a big part in our best team performance of the year. Bowler Tom Oxley, who was without doubt our most improved player, took 16 wickets with an average of 24, and Dale Reynolds took 18 wickets, running in all season and gave 100%.
“We were blessed last season with a young Kiwi by the name of Robert O’Donnell. He scored 154 not out against Fakenham, the strongest team in the league, and that innings was probably the best that I have ever watched whilst playing Saturday cricket. Over the season he scored two more hundreds, three fifties, totalled 678 runs, averaging just over 70 and he also took 16 wickets. Despite his overseas status, he was a very positive influence, great for team morale and had an enormous amount of talent. So the 1st XI player of the year 2014 is Robert O’Donnell.”
Rob had already flown back to New Zealand where he has broken into the Auckland 1st team this winter, making his first-class debut for them in December. Ben read out a note of thanks from Rob.
Dave Micklethwaite picked up the honours for the A XI.
Captain Nathan Taylor told the dinner: “The third team had twice as good a year as last year, with four wins. It was more of a concerted team effort this year, no major outstanding performances, but everybody pulled their weight and helped to get the job done! My player of the season, he‘s great for a captain as he wicket keeps, bowls, bats does whatever you ask him to do, unfortunately he is not here this evening, but my player of the season is Dave Micklethwaite.”
Di Micklethwaite picks up the 3rd XI player of the year trophy for the winner her son Dave from captain Nathan Taylor.
Kevin Cooper was named the Swardeston CEYMS player of the year. Captain Stuart Bartram paid tribute to all the youngsters who had played during the season, notably April Herathge who had made her debut – the first girl to play for Swardeston in a league match – and ended up playing six games.
Bartram said: “Saffy Herathge had a great season for us but my Swardeston CEYMS player of the season, with 365 runs, a highest score of 78, an average of over 45, plus he took 13 wickets and five catches, is Kevin Cooper.”
Kevin Cooper picks up the Swardeston CEYMS player of the year from captain Stuart Bartram.
James Thacker picked up the Sunday XI player of the year award. Captain Lewis Denmark said: “In over 10 games we used 35 players, proving the great depth we have in the club, especially benefitting from using the juniors from the Under-13s and 15s. We had a solid season finishing third in the league, key stats:- 100s for the season from Ben Hogg; Will Kennard; with the ball James Thacker and Sam Thelwell 18 wickets.
“From my perspective there was one clear winner, he had his best season at the club playing for the 3rd and 4th teams, he also had his most wickets in any season and took a five wicket haul, so my player of the season, is James Thacker.”
James Thacker is handed the Sunday XI player of the year by captain Lewis Denmark.
Chris Bean Cup – Premier XI player of the year: Jordan Taylor
John Bobbin Salver – 2nd XI player of the year: Rob O’Donnell
Bob Read Shield – A XI player of the year: Dave Micklethwaite
CEYMS Trophy – Swardeston CEYMS player of the year: Kevin Cooper
Peter Thomas Trophy – Sunday XI player of the year: James Thacker
