THE county’s best young players were honoured at the annual Gloucestershire Young Cricketers Presentation Evening.

Held at the Bristol County Ground, the event saw around 300 people, including the Gloucestershire first team squad, gathered to celebrate a season that has been among the most successful in the county’s history.

In total the junior teams won 70, drew four and tied two of their 117 completed matches.

Only the under-17 girls and the senior women had losing records across the season and eight of the 12 squads recorded more wins than losses.

The main part of the presentation evening saw members of the Gloucestershire professional squad hand out awards for the player of the year and the performance of the year in each age group.

Winterbourne's Sami Hamid was named under-10 boys player of the year.

Coach Jon Tegg said: “Sami is a consistent pace bowler who showed great ability both when opening the attack or tying the opposition down later in the innings.

"He also put runs on the board at a healthy strike rate and is a talented fielder who covers the ground at a pace that is a joy to watch.”

Ed Webb of Thornbury claimed the Performance of the Year in the under-14s section.

Coach Luke Sellers said: “It is always a considerable achievement to beat Somerset and in the under-14s win over their local rivals Ed stood out.

"He stepped up to captain the side at short notice and with all three frontline spinners unavailable he took 3-14 with his part-time off-spin and made a mature 28 not out to see his team home."

Ellie Wookey of Bristol Phoenix was the under-15 girls' Player of the Year.

Coach Lisa Pagett said: “With so many fantastic performances this proved a really difficult decision this year.

"But after much debate and discussion we decided to give the award to Ellie for her dependability with both bat and ball.”

In the under-17 girls team, Bristol Phoenix's Naomi Forecast produced the Performance of the Year, while Frenchay's Emily Wilkins took the Player of the Year award.

Coach Neil Higginson said: “Naomi has the ability to destroy any bowling attack and showed that with a memorable 85 that included 11 fours away to Wales.

“Despite being a younger member of the squad, Emily demonstrated a desire to improve, bravery, tenacity and good humour. In total she scored 105 runs, took four catches and a stumping.”

Another Bristol Phoenix player, Alex Macdonald, took the accolade of Performance of the Year for the senior women.

Pagett said: “Alex showed her batting prowess with a classy 117 versus Scotland.

"Her innings was a master-class of application and responsibility combined with some lusty blows that cleared the ropes. It also ensured Gloucestershire had a chance of competing in a must-win game.”

The event also featured speeches from Gloucestershire Cricket Board head of performance Tim Hancock and Gloucestershire chief executive Will Brown.

There was an onstage interview and question and answer session with Gloucestershire batsman Will Tavaré, who progressed all the way through the county age groups to the first team.

Hancock said: “The 2014 season was one of the best we’ve ever had both in terms of wins and in the development of our players.

“The presentation evening highlighted how many outstanding achievements there have been this year and it was great to be able to celebrate it in front of nearly 300 players and parents.

“The success of the performance programme highlights not just the talent of the players and coaches we have involved in the set-up but also the strength of the clubs we have in Gloucestershire.

“Although it has been a great season we are already looking at improving and expanding our programme. There are exciting times ahead.”