RYAN DRIVER is Jersey’s NatWest Cricketer of the Year for the second year running.

At the Jersey Cricket Board’s annual awards dinner at the Pomme d’Or Hotel, the former Lancashire professional saw off the challenge of a strong field of nominees; Island players Andrew Dewhurst, Jonny Gough and Peter Gough (all Rathbone OVs), Steve Carlyon (Fairbairn SCF) and Dean Morrison (St Ouen).

Driver, who has had an outstanding season for NatWest Weekend League Premiership champions Romeril’s and the Island side, received his second title from England chairman of selectors Geoff Miller – the guest speaker at the NatWest supported function.

Jersey’s youngest member of the Tanzania-bound Island squad, Ben Stevens (pictured), capped a great year with the Jersey Evening Post Young Cricketer of the Year award. The 16-year-old left-arm spinner took three wickets on his début in the senior inter-insular while earlier in the season he was Player of the Tournament in the European Cricket Council’s under-17 tournament in Belfast.

Other awards were: Weekend League Division I Player of the Year: Peter Osmont (Aztec Springfield); Weekend League Division 1 Young Player of the Year: Ben Beeley (Fairbairn SCF); Evening League Players of the Year: Michael Ahier (16) (St Ouen) in Division I, Dean Morrison (St Helier RFC) in Division II and Andy Cadoret (The Sloggers) in Division III; President’s Award: Ron Halliwell. 

• Picture: Ryan Driver with his award