Blackpool's Gleeson also reaches 50 wickets mark
Whalley lifts Castle wicket-keeping award
Warren Quinn took 53 wickets for Carnforth |
Carnforth's Warren Quinn edged out a strong challenge from Blackpool's Richard Gleeson to lift the Castle Award for bowling in Division One.
The left arm spinner enjoyed an outstanding season and captured 53 wickets at an average of 13.40, including six five wicket hauls.
Quinn's form earned him a call-up to the Cumberland Minor Counties side towards the end of the season.
But Blackpool's opening bowler Gleeson would have won the award in many other seasons after taking 50 wickets at an average of 14.10. Gleeson took four five wicket hauls for the club.
The pair went head to head in the final game of the season when Carnforth skipper Darren Moore was able to compare their contrasting styles.
Warren was absolutely superb throughout the season and really deserved the award, Moore said. He joined the club from Morecambe in 2008 and might have won the award last year had he been able to play more regularly. He bowled consistently well throughout the season and his attitude and approach to the game was spot-on.
Richard was also highly impressive and of all the bowlers I faced in the league during the season he was the quickest by a good yard. He bowled really fast against us in the last match and I'm sure he will go from strength to strength.
Richard Gleeson captured 50 wickets for Blackpool |
Gleeson will spend the winter playing grade cricket in Australia after Blackpool skipper Paul Danson used his contacts to make the arrangements.
The experience of playing cricket in Australia will make Richard an even better bowler and he can build on his fine season this year, Danson said. Richard can consider himself extremely unlucky not to be picked by a county for trials after his performances last year and this but time is still on his side if he wants to progress further in the game.
Barrow skipper Daryl Wearing enjoyed a fine season with the ball taking 41 wickets at 16.88 and earning a county call-up for Cumberland. Chorley's left arm opening bowler Billy Smith took 39 wickets at 19.64.
Fleetwood's Chesney Hughes captured 36 wickets in his first season at Broadwater and Preston's Darren Nelson took 35 in his first season at West Cliff after returning to the Northern League following a spell with Westmorland League side Warton.
Among the professionals St Annes Sri Lankan left arm spinner Dinuka Hettiarachchi was way out in front taking 87 wickets during the season at 10.48 to spearhead his side's title winning campaign.
Bilal Asad captured 61 wickets at 9.48 for Preston and had the season's best analysis, eight for 29 against Leyland at Fox Lane.
Morecambe pro Mandla Mashimbyi (53 wickets) and Barrow pro Pasan Wanasinghe also reached the 50-wickets mark during the season.
Netherfield's Scott Clement recorded the best analysis by an amateur in Division One, seven for 52 against Leyland at Fox Lane.
Scott Clement recorded the best amateur analysis, 7 for 52 |
In the wicket-keeping stakes St Annes Duncan Whalley was the Castle Award winner with 37 victims, including 21 catches and 16 stumpings. Whalley tied with Blackpool's James Smith for the award in 2008.
Barrow's county keeper Chris D'Leny bounced back superbly after missing the entire 2008 season through a knee injury to make 33 dismissals, including 26 catches and seven stumpings.
Preston's Charlie Williams (27 dismissals) and Leyland's Player of the Year Matthew Watkinson (23) were next in the list.
Preston's David Fisher won the Castle Award for fielding with 14 catches, two ahead of Chorley vice captain Andy Holdsworth (12). Leyland's Luis Reece and Fleetwood's Adam Sharrocks each took 11 catches.
Fleetwood pro Hendrik van der Dussen was top fielder with 16 catches.
Top fielder David Fisher and top 'keeper Duncan Whalley in opposition |
Castle Financial & Mortgage Services are Independent Financial Advisers and sponsors of the Castle Amateur Awards, Telephone 01772 749011, website: http://castle.ifa-web.co.uk
