North West Cricket Union hosts annual awards night at Guildhall

THE North West Cricket Union (NWCU) staged its annual awards presentations in historic surroundings as the ceremony was held for the first time in Derry’s iconic Guildhall.

It proved a memorable night, and there was little surprise that Ryan Hunter and Jared Wilson featured prominently after helping inspire their side to a treble-winning season.

Hunter collected the prestigious BBC Radio Foyle Player of the Year award as well as the Premiership batting prize, while Wilson was honoured with the Michael Bannigan Players’ Player accolade and also topped the Premiership bowling charts.

Between them, the pair left the Guildhall with four major awards after seasons of exceptional individual consistency.

Bonds Glen’s Championship-winning campaign was also well represented. Dharm Singh collected the Championship bowling award, while former Ireland international William McClintock took the batting honours after a spectacular summer in which he dominated attacks across the division.

The Kildoag club had further reason to celebrate with Darren Young named Coach of the Year, while Sarah Haslett was also among the women’s award winners.

Donemana youngster Luke Marillier made a special effort to attend the ceremony, flying back from his studies in England to receive the Jack Semple Young Player award, while his team mate Olly Britton was another youth recipient on a night which also recognised the next generation coming through the North West system.

Other award winners included Oliver Williamson, Catherine Kee, Darren Moan, Jodie Spence and Mollie Devine, while David Barr received the Fair Play award, one of the evening’s most warmly received honours.

The setting added significantly to the occasion, with the Guildhall providing a suitably impressive backdrop for what was a landmark presentation night for the Union.

Guests were welcomed by the Mayor before hearing contributions from Raymond Mitchell, Brian MacNeice, Kathryn Rough and John Semple, who all addressed the gathering.

The event also provided an opportunity to reflect on another busy season across senior, women’s and youth cricket in the region, while recognising the players, coaches and volunteers who had made major contributions during the year.

All told, it proved a highly successful first staging of the awards in the Guildhall and a fitting celebration of North West cricket.

For the Union, it was both an historic occasion and a night which set a high standard for future presentations.