Further awards given at the 2024 annual Swardeston CC awards dinner at Number 47 St Giles were as follows.
The John Betts Cup for the outstanding performance of the year was awarded to Lewis Denmark for his fantastic batting in the final of the Coleman’s Opticians Norfolk T20 Trophy at Horsford against Ashmanaugh and Barton Wanderers.
Lewis’s unbeaten 95 from just 55 balls powered Swardeston to a 200-3 total from their 20 overs. Hitting five sixes and 10 fours Lewis dominated the innings, putting on an unbroken 112 for the 4th wicket with Peter Lambert.
His innings proved the edge as Wanderers reached 188-5 from their 20 overs as Swardeston ran out winners by 12 runs on a good batting track at Manor Park.
Club President Peter Thomas said the season had brought forward a number of candidates for the award and gave honourable mentions to the season’s century makers Jordy Taylor 121 and Sagi Rajaguru 153. He also praised the bowling performances of Alex Levinson when he took 11 wickets in two consecutive EAPL matches including an important 5-49 in the home victory over Copdock.
Lewis Reeder was the winner of the Neville Herathge Trophy for the outstanding youth player of the year.
Peter Thomas said that Lewis had a tremendous debut season at the club and was developing into a fine cricketer with success coming his way when he was also named as the Northamptonshire CCC Academy bowler of the year. His performances in the 1st XI saw him claim 21 wickets including a superb 6-21 in the home win over Saffron Walden.
The winner of the Phil Sturman Trophy, awarded for the best young player at Under-16 level, was presented to Oli Longdon for the second year running.
Peter said Oli had developed into a fine batsman and had played very well not only for Swardeston but for Norfolk’s age group teams across the summer. He had deservedly made his 1st XI debut this summer.
Phil Sturman was a former Swardeston committee and club member forever remembered for the lasting legacy he left behind – the building of the scorebox which sits proudly at the top of The Common. His family donated the trophy following Phil’s death in 2020.
- John Betts Cup – Outstanding performance of the year: Lewis Denmark
- Neville Herathge Trophy – Most outstanding youth player: Lewis Reeder
- Philip Sturman Memorial Trophy – Outstanding youth player aged Under-16: Oli Longdon
Players of the year were also honoured, see separate report.
