Australian scoops the top prize

JUSTIN MEADES was last night crowned player of the year at the GCA annual presentation night at St Pierre Park Hotel. The big-hitting Australian, who turns out for DHS St Pierre in the evening league, was also named weekend player of the year for his outstanding exploits for Randy Paddle Mavericks.

He scored 652 runs in weekend cricket, including three hundreds, at an average of 65.2 and also chipped in with 12 wickets at 33.4.

It was no surprise when Meades won his first cap against Jersey last month in the inter-insular at Grainville where he contributed a useful 20 with the bat, but more importantly took a fine catch to dismiss Mathew Hague at a pivotal moment.

In all GCA club cricket he finished with a tally of 867 runs and claimed 18 wickets.

'Justin had a remarkable year,' said his Mavericks captain, James Falla. 'We were all aware of the way he can destroy bowling attacks from his previous seasons in the island, but this summer he showed that he has moved onto a higher level in being able to accumulate big scores on a regular basis.'

There was a double success for James Warr.

The classy opening batsman was named as young player of the year and also claimed the individual accolade for Barclays Evening League Division One.

In a remarkable campaign for Praxis Pessimists, the 20-year-old was the division's top run scorer with 472, including five half-centuries at an average of 78.6. He also claimed 10 wickets.

Warr added a further 289 runs at more than 41 to his tally in weekend cricket for PKF Wanderers.

Meanwhile, Mark Clapham's consistently excellent performances at the top of the order for GCA champions Clubhouse Optimists earned him the over-40s' accolade.

A new concept introduced this year at the awards was the GCB's five cricketers of the year - following similar lines to those published annually in Wisden.

Meades was an obvious recipient and was joined by fellow island squad members GH Smit, Ami Banerjee, Stuart Le Prevost and Richard Veillard.

GCB president Dave Piesing also made a special award to Andy Biggins, who recently stepped down as island captain after five successful years at the helm.