OUTSTANDING junior cricketers were honoured on Saturday at the Armidale District Cricket Association’s presentation afternoon.
Outstanding batsman Liam Neeson was named the Sportspower Junior Cricketer of the Year.
Neeson, 14, notched 668 runs this season, with more than 300 of those at representative level.
He scored three representative half-centuries, two more at club level, and a century for Hillgrove’s under-16 side.
Neeson’s talents also extend to bowling, as he showed by claiming five wickets in one over against McCarthy Catholic College in Tamworth.
That over included a hat-trick and he went on to finish with the impressive bowling figures of 6/10.
“The highlight of my season would be scoring a hundred, but our team making it to the final in rep was also a great achievement,” Neeson said.
His under-16 Hillgrove teammate Lochlan Elks was recognised for his contribution to junior cricket in Armidale as he prepares to move into the senior ranks.
Elks, who is well known for his aggressive batting style and fiery quick bowling, has represented Northern Inland and Central North as well as Armidale, and also stepped up this season to play in Armidale’s first grade representative side.
Vincent Marshall received the under-12 representative player of the year award, while Angus Dawson, Henry Sindel, Tao Grieves and Charlie Rutledge were also honoured at representative level.
At club level, youngster Hamish Biddle won with the batting aggregate and average awards for the under-11 age division, scoring 214 runs at an average of 71.
Uralla’s Nick Page was another multiple award-winner, taking home the under-12 batting average and bowling aggregate awards.
In addition to individual awards, winning teams were presented with their premiership medallions.
