Gloucestershire’s cricket stars handed out the awards to the next generation of players at the 2017 county presentation evening.

Trophies were awarded for the player of the year and individual performance of the year in every squad from the under 10s to the under 17s.

Frenchay wicketkeeper/batter Natasha Wraith was one of the winners on the night, picking up the player of the year award in both the Under 15 and Under 17 girls county squads. And Dumbleton CC were the most successful club with five of their players taking home silverware.

The evening – which was held at the Bristol Pavilion – provided a chance to celebrate both the outstanding individual and collective achievements of the 2017 season.

Individual achievements included Under 17 all-rounder George Drissell (Bedminster) making his first team debut for Gloucestershire, Under 14 Will Naish (Frocester) playing for the south and west at the Bunbury Festival and 16-year-old Danielle Gibson (Dumbleton) being selected in the Kia Women’s Super League winning Western Storm squad.

Team achievements included the Under 17 boys reaching the one-day semi-finals and the Under 12s and 13s boys squads winning their respective Taunton Festival – the latter going through the entire season undefeated.

The event also featured an onstage conversation between Gloucestershire head of talent pathway Tim Hancock, Drissell and George Hankins who has progressed from the age group squads to the first team.

Hancock said: “It was fantastic to have so many people there to celebrate what was a very successful season across our age groups.

“Over the last few years we have seen a growing trend of success for our county squads and that was no different this year with the Under 17 boys reaching a national semi-final and both the under 12s and 13s picking up silverware.

“The awards also highlighted the achievements of individuals within our pathway and demonstrate that the future is looking bright for Gloucestershire.”

Award Winners

Under 10 Boys
Performance of the Year – Lewis Rollinson (Dumbleton)
Player of the Year – Jamie Brooks (Bristol YMCA)

Girls Under 11
Performance of the Year – Lily Salter (Parkend)
Player of the Year – Alice Wilson (Marshfield)

Under 11 Boys
Performance of the Year – Max Dunne (Frocester)
Player of the Year – Freddie Sharp (Dumbleton)

Under 12 Boys
Performance of the Year – Ben French (Frocester)
Player of the Year – Jack Studley (Winterbourne)

Under 13 Girls
Performance of the Year – Sarah Walsh (Frenchay)
Player of the Year – Bea Ellis (Charlton Kings)

Under 13 Boys
Performance of the Year – Will Gilderson (Dumbleton)
Player of the Year – Rhys Price (Thornbury)

Under 14 Boys
Performance of the Year – Michael Burger (Parkend)
Player of the Year – Sam Swingwood (Monmouth)

Under 15 Girls
Performance of the Year – Ellie Fleck (Dumbleton)
Player of the Year – Natasha Wraith (Frenchay)

Under 15 Boys
Performance of the Year – Ollie O’Neil (Aston Ingham)
Player of the Year – Seb Blake (Cheltenham)

Under 17 Boys Development
Batting Performance of the Year – Milo Ayres (Brislington)
Bowling Performance of the Year – Kiran Chakraborty (Corse and Staunton)

Under 17 Girls
Performance of the Year – Danielle Gibson (Dumbleton)
Player of the Year – Natasha Wraith (Frenchay)

Under 17 Boys
Performance of the Year – George Drissell (Bedminster)
Player of the Year – Ed Webb (Thornbury)

Awards Citations

Under 10 Boys – quotes from U10 Coach Jon Tegg

Performance of the Year – Lewis Rollinson (Dumbleton)
“This accolade goes to a boy who experienced the full ups and downs that this great game can throw at you. He produced an outstanding display of batting when it really mattered, against the strongest of opponents. His 43 not out from 63 balls including 8 boundaries against Warwickshire to steer his team to victory was a real privilege to witness.”

Player of the Year – Jamie Brooks (Bristol YMCA)
“The winner showed a great willingness to learn and batted with a maturity beyond his years, scoring 214 runs, with a highest score of 60. He also took nine wickets from 21 overs at a strike rate of just 14. His attitude and desire to win is second to none and he will undoubtedly be a name to look out for in the future.”

Girls Under 11 quotes from U11 Coach Pete Lamb

Performance of the Year – Lily Salter (Parkend)
“The match against local rivals Wales saw the team with their backs against the wall at 58 for 8 chasing a distant 140. This batter showed heart and determination pulling her team back into the game with a season’s top score of 35 to take her side to an unlikely victory.”

Player of the Year – Alice Wilson (Marshfield)
“The progression made by this individual throughout the season was rewarded with the opportunity to represent the under 13s. She was also the scorer of the most runs.”

Under 11 Boys – quotes from U11 Manager Olly Ralph

Performance of the Year – Max Dunne (Frocester)
“Away at local rivals Somerset this bowler led by example, bowling with great consistency and control to leave the batsman without a clue as to what was happening. His 5-16 from 8 overs helped bowl Somerset out for 87 in 24.2 overs and set up a thumping 9 wicket win.”

Player of the Year – Freddie Sharp (Dumbleton)
“This player made a total of 282 runs at an average of 47. His highlights included a superb 98 not out against Gwent, an important knock of 47 against Wales when wickets were falling around him and 53 not out against Nottinghamshire at the Taunton Festival.”

Under 12 Boys – quotes from U12 Coach Gareth Dawson

Performance of the Year – Ben French (Frocester)
“While this wasn’t the highest score of the season, it was the innings that set the foundations for the victory over St Stithians and the remaining games at the Taunton festival. Without this win the success that followed may not have been possible. Chasing a total of 178, this player initially consolidated before using his feet to attack the spinners and reach 54. Showing great discipline and concentration he laid the foundation for the lower order to complete victory.”

Player of the Year – Jack Studley (Winterbourne)
“The Player of the Year award goes to a player who contributed with both bat and ball. He was the highest wicket taker with 19 scalps and had an economy rate of under 3 runs an over. He played a massive part in the Taunton success opening the bowling with his off spin, not only taking wickets but creating pressure with his accuracy. He contributed with the bat and always looked to be positive.”

Under 13 Girls – quotes from U13 coach Nick Tidball

Performance of the Year – Sarah Walsh (Frenchay)
“In a thrilling win over Wales, Gloucestershire, batting first, were in deep trouble at 59-7. With a green wicket and a large outfield the Welsh bowlers were on top.This all changed with an entertaining innings of 41 which contributed to a score of 132 that proved out of Wales’ reach.”

Player of the Year – Bea Ellis (Charlton Kings)
“The Under 13 Player Of The Year was the top wicket taker with 11 wickets and also scored more than 100 runs. A very good fielder, she regularly played up a year group and was a thoughtful and calm captain.”

Under 13 Boys – quotes from U13 Coach Steve Cashmore

Performance of the Year – Will Gilderson (Dumbleton)
“There were a huge number of candidates for this award but our winner simply blew away Somerset’s top order with a devastating 5-over spell of 4 for 12 – an exhibition of top-class pace bowling. He also went on to finish the season with 25 wickets at 6 apiece!”

Player of the Year – Rhys Price (Thornbury)
“His contribution with the bat included 104* not out against Worcestershire while with the ball he finished with an economy rate of just 2, and an average of 6.6. As a captain he wasn’t afraid to make the tough calls and confronted highs and lows with the same unruffled response. In doing so he gained the respect he deserves from players and coaches alike.”

Under 14 Boys – quotes from U14 Coach Luke Sellers

Performance of the Year – Michael Burger (Parkend)
“This award is in recognition of two outstanding performances that changed the course of his side’s season. Needing two wins from the final two games to secure top division cricket next year this player led from the front, showing great skill and character under pressure. For his match-winning scores of 89 not out v Oxfordshire and 50 not out v Hampshire the performance of the year goes to Michael Burger.”


Player of the Year – Sam Swingwood (Monmouth)
“In his first season with Gloucestershire, Sam announced his arrival with 5-11 on his competitive debut v Wiltshire and went on to take 31 wickets – more than any other county age group player – at an average of 12.7. An attacking legspinner who turns it both ways, Sam was also a popular member of the dressing room, winning respect for both his performances and his attitude.”

Under 15 Girls – quotes from U15 Manager John Harris

Performance of the Year – Ellie Fleck (Dumbleton)
“Against Wales, this player effectively took six wickets with a run out and bowling figures of 8 overs, 2 maidens, 5 for 33.”

Player of the Year – Natasha Wraith (Frenchay)
“Nat excelled behind the stumps and provided the team with real batting firepower, scoring two hundreds and two 50s. In total she made more than 500 runs at an average of 63 and a strike rate of 126.”

Under 15 Boys – quotes from U15 Manager Chris Germaine

Performance of the Year – Ollie O’Neil (Aston Ingham)
“Taking a wicket with the first ball of the innings and one each over thereafter in a fine spell of swing bowling, the Performance of the Year goes to Ollie O’Neill for his devastating spell of 6 overs 2 maidens 5 for 13 against Wiltshire.”

Player of the Year – Seb Blake (Cheltenham)
“Always at the heart of the team, Seb has shown commitment, passion and insight. An ideas man and a joker, he always shared his opinion and instigated the banter. Every time he walked onto the field he tried his best and put his body on the line for the team.”

Under 17 Boys Development – quotes from U17 Coach Tim Hancock

Batting Performance of the Year – Milo Ayres (Brislington)
“This innings was very special. On a wicket taking turn and with time running out to try and force a result this innings set up the chance to win the game. Hitting the seamers and spinners with power and precision the winner of the batting performance for 2017 with a superb 147 off 91 balls is Milo Ayres.”

Bowling Performance of the Year – Kiran Chakraborty (Corse and Staunton)
“The 2017 bowling performance goes to a player who has consistently worked hard at all aspects of his game. The 2 day match against Devon proved to be a ruthless display of cricket which was capped off by a predatory bowling performance that proved too much for the young Devon team who were dismissed for 126. Leading the attack with outstanding figures of 10 over 2 maidens 4 for 24 and bowling the side to a memorable win, the 2017 bowling performance goes to Kiran Chakraborty.”

Under 17 Girls – quotes from U17 Coach Neil Higginson

Performance of the Year – Danielle Gibson (Dumbleton)
“Danielle produced two outstanding spells of seam bowling. In a T20 v Wales she bowled 4 overs, 3 maidens, 1 for 3. And in the County Championship v Devon she finished with 7 overs, 3 maidens 0 for 13 including bowling a maiden in the final over to secure victory.”

Player of the Year – Natasha Wraith (Frenchay)
“Despite the demands of playing across three age groups, Natasha relished the competition and always pushed herself. She kept wicket well and was top runscorer with 308 runs at an average of 30 and a strike rate of over 100. A stand out knock of 80 including 13 fours against Devon was a real highlight.”

Under 17 Boys – quotes from U17 Coach Tim Hancock

Performance of the Year – George Drissell (Bedminster)
“With qualification for the knock out stages on a knife edge the game was turned on its head by an outstanding spell of bowling. Combining spin and accuracy this bowler took 6-26 in 10 overs – including two outstanding return catches.”

Player of the Year – Ed Webb (Thornbury)
“A consistent and calming presence at the top of the order who invariably played with an assurance which rubbed off on those around him. With 330 runs in 7 innings at an impressive average of 66, the 2017 Under 17 player of the year is Ed Webb.”