Iron Duke secures top award

TIM DUKE was last night rewarded for his superb debut season by being named as the Guernsey Cricket Association Player of the Year. The island all-rounder impressed everyone this summer in both versions of the local game with his solid, textbook batting and more than useful medium-fast bowling as he played an integral part in Wanderers winning the Cable and Wireless Championship.

Duke also had a small but vital role in Guernsey's dramatic inter-insular victory at the KGV when he produced two excellent and miserly overs at the death of Jersey's innings when the pressure was on and runs were at a premium.

And he might have had a even more productive season if he had not suffered a broken thumb halfway through it.

The three other main awards were also won by members of Guernsey's inter-insular side.

It was the year that Cobo's Matt Oliver came of age and he was the deserved recipient of the Young Player of the Year trophy.

The left-handed opening batsman not only achieved his goal of an island cap but he also scored three centuries this summer, including one for Guernsey.

Meanwhile, Guernsey's inter-insular hero Pierre Moody, like Duke, was rewarded for his efforts in Wanderers' championship victory by picking up the award for best weekend player.

To complete an excellent night for the new hybrid club, Steve Birkett became the second recipient of the veteran of the year honour for over-40 cricketers.

In the shorter version of the game, Glenn Milnes won a second successive Evening League Premier One award.

Although DHS St Pierre are far from being a one-man team, they would simply not have retained the title without the New Zealander, whose off-spin proved to be just as important as his batting this season.

'We did not necessarily pick the people with the best statistics,' said GCA president Gary Tapp.

'It was more a question of looking at match-winning performances and who has had a major effect on their side throughout the season.

'All the Evening League awards, bar Premier One, have been picked by the clubs in their respective divisions so they have gained recognition from their fellow players.'