Bannsiders remarkable season is recognised at awards night

The Bannsiders had four players in the 11, including captain David Cooke who led the club to an historic first North West Premiership title along with victories in the Ulster Cup and Faughan Valley T20.

Cooke was joined in the team by Gordon Cooke, his brother and former Ireland all-rounder, fast bowler Gareth Burns and Niall McDonnell, the Radio Foyle player of the year and North West batsman of the year.

McDonnell enjoyed a magnificent first season at Sandel Lodge, plundering five hundreds on his way to a remarkable tally of 1,230 runs at an average of 76.88.

The former Strabane opener was joined in the 11 by his North West Warriors team-mates Jason Milligan, David Rankin, Andy McBrine, Johnny Thompson and Andrew Riddles.

Fox Lodge off-spinner Johnny Robinson, the winner of the bowling prize, made the team after taking 45 wickets at an average of 16 while there was a place for teenage Donemana slow bowler William McBrine.

The off-spinner took 36 wickets at an average of 18, including a remarkable nine-wicket haul against Killyclooney.

Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom and President Robin Walsh were among a number of dignitaries who joined North West President Andrew Fleming at the White Horse Hotel.

McDonnell won both the Premier League batting shield and the coveted Radio Foyle Player of the Year.

Donemana’s Andy McBrine, won the Bannigan Players’ Player of the Year award as well as the Emerging Warriors’ player and he too was named in the Team of the Year.

Eglinton’s Ross Allen won the Young player of the Year. while Killyclooney’s James Colhoun was a worthy winner of Club Person award.

Fox Lodge’s Jonny Robinson claimed the Premier Division bowling trophy.

In the Championship it was a night of triumph too for Andrew Riddles, he claimed the Divisional batting award, the Warriors Player of the Year and included in the News Letter team to boot.

Ricky McDaid of Drummond won the bowling trophy, Thomas Thompson of Newbuildings picked up the Qualifying 1 bowling award while the batting shield went to Coleraine’s Rory Knox.

Gregory McDaid and Gareth Martin from Crindle were named Qualifying 2 winners and team-mate Ivan McDaid was nominated by the Umpires for the Harry Henderson Fair Play award.

Ballyspallen’s Ryan O’Neill won the Qualifying 3 batting title with Ardmore’s Robert Murray claiming the bowling honours.

There was a special award made to Derry Midweek League trio Davy Caldwell, Sam McConnell and Lexie Miller to mark their services to cricket in the North West.

Between them the ever popular officers have amounted over 120 years service to the Derry Midweek League and have overseen charity work that has seen the DML hand over in the region of £160,000 to local charities in the past 30 years.

Meanwhile, Coleraine have confirmed that they will not be bringing Sri Lankan professional Roy Silva back to the club.

Jarred Barnes, the towering South African-born seamer, will be returning and possibly in an overseas capacity because of new residency rules introduced in the North West.

News Letter North West Team of the Year: David Cooke, Niall McDonnell, Gareth Burns, Gordon Cooke (all Coleraine), Andy McBrine, William Brine (both Donemana), Johnny Thompson (Brigade), Johnny Robinson, Jason Milligan (both Fox Lodge), David Rankin (Bready), Andrew Riddles (Ardmore).