Players past and present gathered for the annual awards of Biggleswade Town Cricket Club. Guest of honour and their number one supporter, Dot Blackwell, joined them at the White Horse in Southill as the club reflected on another successful season. The Sun

Players past and present gathered for the annual awards of Biggleswade Town Cricket Club.

Guest of honour and their number one supporter, Dot Blackwell, joined them at the White Horse in Southill as the club reflected on another successful season.

The Sunday first XI finished third in the Beds Premier League thanks to the accurate bowling of Martin Whinnett and the consistent batting performances of Jimmy Hart.

There was the inaugural presentation of a new award for the youth player of the year.

This season the club fielded under-10 and under-12 teams in the Beds Youth League. There were also weekly coaching sessions for the players throughout the year thanks to ECB coaches Hart, Gary Waghorn and Michael Johnson.

The new award was named after stalwart John Gibbs in recognition of the role he has played in encouraging many of the current senior players when they were in the youth teams.

Under-12 player Chris Walford was presented with the award after a season where he scored more runs and took more wickets than any other player. Chris also played on a number of occasions in the senior teams.

Next season the club will be expanding their youth section and two more players have already completed their ECB coaching qualifications. The youth section is seeking a sponsor for next season.

Club president John Tolson joined chairman Jerry Keen in presenting the awards.

First XI Saturday batting: Dan Szwajbak (320 runs @ 53.33).

First XI Saturday bowling: Matt Twigg (16 wkts @ 22.19).

First XI Sunday batting: Jimmy Hart (557 runs @ 55.70).

First XI Sunday bowling: Martin Whinnett (21 wkts @ 14.71).

Second XI Saturday batting: David Parkinson (349 runs @ 34.90).

Second XI Saturday bowling: Mark Bentley (12 wkts @ 16.75).

Second XI Sunday batting: Martin Wright (379 runs @ 42.11).

Second XI Sunday bowling: Paul Ward (19 wkts @ 18.95).

The York Shield: Paul Ward (24 wkts @ 16.17) - best overall bowling.

Most improved player: Wayne Buckingham.

Best all-round player: Jay Szwajbak.

Clubman of the year: Gary Waghorn.

Mark King Trophy: Jimmy Hart - best fielder.

First XI Captain's Cup: Jimmy Hart.

Second XI Captain's Cup (The Ian Johnson Award): David Parkinson.

Peter Twigg evening player of the year: Kevin Wright.

The chairman also awarded the champagne moment to Kevin Wright for his emotional 100no against Ickwell.

Nearly £200 was raised in a raffle to collect funds for Keech Cottage in memory of Ken Wright, father of the club captain Kevin and long time scorer, who passed away earlier in the year. Motley and Hope, Mantles and Presentations all donated prizes.