Master blaster 'GH' hits the top

ISLAND star GH Smit was last night named Guernsey Cricket Association player of the year. The Mavericks and St Pierre all-rounder enjoyed an outstanding year, particularly with the bat as he averaged 69 for the season in club cricket having totalled 966 runs.

One of many bowlers who bore the brunt of the hard-hitting South African in full flow was GCA president Mark Latter, who saw the ball disappearing to all-parts when bowling to Smit for Griffins.

'On stats alone GH was the outstanding candidate for GCA player of the year,' Latter said.

'Anyone who witnessed his dismantling of local bowling attacks this season either from the boundary or, unfortunately in my case, from the other end of the wicket will concur with the award.

'Having battered me into bowling retirement, though, GH will I am sure find runs harder to come by in 2008,' he joked.

Smit's off-spin also proved useful as he claimed 30 wickets at 21.3 runs apiece.

He made it a personal double by picking up the Barclays Evening League Division One best player trophy thanks to his 540 runs at an incredible average of 108. His strike rate was 141.7 runs per 100 balls.

Some of his Guernsey teammates were also recognised for their impressive season.

Newcomer Ryan Bishop, the Rovers wicketkeeper-batsman, claimed the weekend player of the year accolade having averaged 84 over the longer version of the local game in the summer.

He also took 13 catches behind the stumps and made five stumpings on his way to earning his first inter-insular cap.

Cobo's island opening bowler Blane Queripel, another to play in his debut inter-insular in August, was named young player of the year.

The quickie claimed 36 wickets for his club at 17.25 and was economical with it.

'Blane continues to improve as his performances for both Cobo and the island this season demonstrated. He deserved his first cap and showed as much with a fine display against Jersey,' said his club and Guernsey captain Stuart Le Prevost.

Fellow Coboite Kris Moherndl was rewarded for his progression also, winning the Investec under-19 award and being among the GCB's five cricketers of the year along with Smit, Bishop, Mavericks' veteran Andy Burkhardt and teenage sensation Tim Ravencroft.

Meanwhile, Tim de Putron's consistently fine displays made him the second consecutive Optimists to win the over-40s top player after Mark Clapham.