THE efforts of cricketers from the Bury area in the inaugural Greater Manchester League season were recognised at an awards ceremony last weekend.

Players from Walshaw and Woodbank picked up three of the five individual medals awarded in Division One following their successful march to promotion.

Saif Bhojani and Nick Murphy, both of Walshaw, picked up the batting and fielding awards, respectively, while Woodbank’s Dominic Gowers was the division’s top wicketkeeper.

The medals were awarded based on the league’s CricHQ stats for the season.

Our local teams’ exploits in the cups was highlighted, with Walshaw finishing runners-up in both the first and second team competitions, while Elton made it to the final of the third team cup.

GMCL chairman Martin Kay thanked every player for their efforts in the league’s first season.

He said: “This year’s cricket has exceeded expectations.

“To reach the last game of the season with 28 out of the 36 senior clubs playing for something was unique. Highlights for me were the first ball of the season, the inter-league under-14s lifting the Michael Roach trophy without utilising any county players, the huge success of CricHQ and the competitiveness on the field and the friendship off it.

“The directors of the league have done just what they promised. We hope for more of the same next year, but with a little more sunshine.

“Duckworth Lewis is coming into operation next year and the league website and results will both be operated by CricHQ.

“Thanks to everyone who has been involved in creating such a dynamic and successful format.”

There were also plenty of awards for players and teams who excelled further down the GMCL structure, where Woodbank’s second team won Division Five North and West, and Greenmount were crowned Sunday North West champions.

Woodbank’s second team players dominated the individual awards in Division Five North and West, with Brett Collins scooping the coveted Most Valuable Player award for combined efforts in batting, bowling and fielding.

Elsewhere, Ali Shah, of Elton Vale, was named MVP in Division Four West and Israr Asif, of Walshaw, picked up the all-round award in Sunday North West.

The senior players’ achievements were possibly put in the shade by the area’s junior players.

Youngsters from Greenmount, Woodbank, Unsworth, Bury, Walshaw and Elton picked up individual awards, while Greenmount and Woodbank battled it out for the top junior medal haul.

Greenmount’s Tom Heaton (u18s) and Evan Williams (u13s) were named best players in their age group, while Matthew Hall, of Woodbank, picked up the u15s award.

The town dominated the team prizes in the u18s section, with Greenmount winning the cup, Woodbank crowned champions of the North Division and Unsworth claiming the West Division title.

Lower down the age groups, Greenmount won the North Division title at u15s level and the Premier Division title and cup double at u13s, while Bury were crowned U13s North West Division champions.

GMCL senior awards

Derek Kay First XI Cup: Runners-up – Walshaw.

Second XI Cup: Runners-up – Walshaw.

Third XI Cup: Runners-up – Elton.

Division One: Batting medal – Saif Bhojani (Walshaw). Wicketkeeping – Dominic Gowers (Woodbank). Fielding medal – Nick Murphy (Walshaw).

Division Four West: Dominic Morris (Bury). Wicketkeeping – Mark Robinson (ELPM). Fielding medal – Mohammed Sajib (Elton Vale). MVP – Ali Shah (Elton Vale).

Division Five North and West: Champions – Woodbank 2nd XI. Bowling medal – Mark Ingham (Woodbank). Wicketkeeping – Josh Brody (Woodbank). Fielding medal – Dan Sumner (Woodbank). MVP – Brett Collins (Woodbank).

Sunday North West: Champions – Greenmount. Batting medal – Ben Morris (Elton). Wicketkeeping – Heath Lonsdale (Woodbank). MVP – Israr Asif (Walshaw).

Junior awards

Under-18s Award: Tom Heaton (Greenmount).

U15s Award: Matthew Hall (Woodbank).

U13s Award: Evan Williams (Greenmount).

U18s North Division: Champions – Woodbank. Batting medal – Matthew Donnelly (Greenmount). Bowling medal – Josh Dentith (Woodbank). Wicketkeeping medal – Heath Lonsdale (Woodbank). Fielding medal – Tom Heaton (Greenmount).

U18s West Division: Champions – Unsworth. Bowling medal – Bradley Edge (Unsworth).

U18s Cup: Champions – Greenmount.

U15s North Division: – Champions – Greenmount. Batting medal – Matthew Hall (Woodbank). Bowling medal – Sheheryar Mirza (Bury). Wicketkeeping medal – Ethan Nelson (Walshaw). Fielding medal – James Staples (Greenmount).

U15s Cup: Runners-up – Walshaw.

U13s Premier Division: Champions – Greenmount. Bowling medal – Evan Williams (Greenmount).

U13s North West Division: Champions – Bury. Batting medal – Nathan Hall (Woodbank). Bowling medal – Harry Barnett (Bury). Fielding medal – Millen Brown (Elton).

U13s Cup: Champions – Greenmount. MVP – Sam Bird (Greenmount).