Oswestry's Joe Clarke among award winners at Shropshire Cricket Board Awards
Rising star Joe Clarke was among the winners at the Shropshire Cricket Board Awards – with[gallery] ex-England and Warwickshire player Jim Troughton guest speaker.
Clarke, who plays for Oswestry and starred for England under-19s at the recent World Cup in Dubai, was named the county's Young Player of the Year for the second year running.
The 17-year-old also picked up the inaugural Gerry Gladwell Award for wicketkeepers – the prize named in honour of a well-known former coach who died last year.
"Gerry was a wicketkeeper and responsible for producing many good young players over the years," said Phil Lloyd, the SCB's general manager.
"We thought it was only fitting we named the award after him."
Clarke signed a two-year deal with Worcestershire during the winter, but has previous experience of playing Minor Counties cricket with Shropshire.
And it was his home county skipper, Richard Oliver, who matched him on Friday night by taking two prizes himself.
Oliver, who plays club cricket for Shifnal, took the gongs for leading run-scorer and leading all-rounder.
Forton's Chris Sayers was leading wicket taker, though it was Wellington's Dan Lloyd who claimed the prize for Junior Cricketer of the Year.
Lloyd captained Midlands under-15s to glory in last year's Bunbury Festival and claimed 70 wickets at under-16s level.
Robyn Matthews claimed the women's Player of the Year award for her role in re-energising the SCB's under-17s and women's squads, and for scoring a maiden century.
Lara Jones, captain of the SCB's under-13s girls side, took the accolade for the girls Player of the Year.
Ed Bridge was named Disability Cricketer of Year.
There was also time to honour the coaches, with Mike Griffiths named Coach of the Year.
Wellington's Sam Lloyd took the young coach prize.
Bishop's Castle's Richard Whately was honoured with an outstanding contribution award.
He was rewarded for his efforts and commitment to building up the club's youth section.
The evening also saw the presentation of several Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards, while several clubs were handed Clubmark Awards.
The guest speaker was Warwickshire captain and former England one-day star Jim Troughton.
"We had almost 200 people there which was a good turnout and good to see," said Lloyd.
"Jim Troughton spoke well and Paul Greetham, who runs Warwickshire's Academy, was also there.
"He started his career in Shropshire so it was nice to have that link with the county."
