Ottery St Mary’s young cricketers had a good night at the Devon Cricket Board awards evening, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

More than 300 guests crammed into the function suite at Exeter Chiefs Sandy Park stadium on Friday night for presentations to the best-performing players in the county.

The evening celebrates achievements at every level of Devon cricket from under-10s just starting out in the game to the Minor Counties side.

Ottery duo Lawrence Walker and Matt Jeacock, joint captains of the East Devon District U11 side, were presented with the Inter-Regional Cup for their age group.

Walker was the leading batsman in the Devon U11 side last summer, scoring 416 runs at an average of 59.43. He made a century against Cornwall.

East Devon U13s are skippered by Ottery’s Eddie Rudolph, who led them to the Inter-Regional Cup and took home the trophy.

Billy Rudolph, Eddie’s older brother, was honoured twice when awards for Devon U17s were read out.

Billy, who skippered the side, was the leading bowler with 18 wickets at 15 runs each.

He also chipped in with 339 runs, taking tons off Hampshire and Gloucestershire, and as the team’s prime all-rounder was named player of the year.

Guest of honour was ex-Devon youth player Dom Bess, who has just ended a breakthrough summer with Somerset. He was there to hand out awards.

Bess, still only 19, was on the receiving end too as he was awarded the Buller Bowl for Devon’s outstanding youth prospect.

Bess lives in Sidmouth but plays league cricket for Exeter.

Television presenter Mark Tyler, who has a son in the Devon youth system, was master of ceremonies for the evening and conducted an on-stage interview with Bess during a break in proceedings.

It was a good night for the Bess family as Zak Bess – Dom’s cousin – was named Devon CCC player of the year.

winners

Under-10s: District winners: South.

Batter: Julian Hayter; bowler: George Tapley; player of the year: Hayter

Under-11s: District winners: East.

Battter: Lawrence Walker; bowler: Jacob Kopparambil; player of the year: Ed Butler

Sally Ashman Cup: Jack Whittaker.

Under-12s: District winners: South.

Battter: Archie Farkins; bowler: Tom Hatton; player of the year: Rory Medlock

Under-13 Girls: District winners: East

Batter: Emma Corney bowler: Katie Harman; player of the year: Olivia Churcher

Under-13s: District winners: East.

Batter: Josh Farley; bowler: Sonny Baker; player of the year: Joe Du’gay.

Under-14s; District winners: East.

Batter: Abraham Kopparambil; bowler: Sam Read; player of the year: Jack Moore

Under -15 Girls: District winners: East.

Batter: Rebecca Halliday; bowler: Sophie Florides; player of the year: Daisy Meadowcroft

Bryan Hayter Award: Jonathan Mears.

Under-15s: District winners: South.

Batsman: Ben Sapiecha; bowler” James Degg; player of the year: Abraham Kopparambil; players’ player: Elliot Adams.

Under-16s: Batsman: Jamie Khan; bowler: Jack Gibbs; player of the year: Jack Gibbs.

Under-17 Girls: Batter: Daisy Meadowcroft; bowler: Stephanie Hutchins; player of the year: Stephanie Hutchins

Under-17s: Batsman: Tom Lammonby; bowler: Billy Rudolph; player of the year: Billy Rudolph.

Devon Lions: Player of the year: Jamie Stephens. Devon: Player of the year: Zak Bess. Buller Bowl: Dom Bess.

Devon Women: Batter: Aylish Cranstone; bowler: Hazelle Garton; player of the year: Jodie Dibble; champagne moment: Daisy Meadowcroft; players’ player: Aylish Cranstone.