THE Medlock brothers took centre stage at Paignton CC’s awards evening, where both bagged a player of the year award.

Luke, the older of the two at 18 years of age, picked up the prized player-of-the-year award for his first full season in the Paignton 1st XI. He made 386 league runs at an average of 30.

George Benton, who skippered Paignton to second place in the Premier Division, said it was the timing of Luke’s runs that was so important.

“Luke often stepped up to the plate after the top order had struggled – and he featured in a number of match-winning partnerships during the season,” said Benton.

“Luke was a key part of the side that finished runners-up in the Premier Division just one season after promotion, typifying a team almost entirely made up of home-grown talent.”

It proved to be a great year at the Redcliffe Hotel for the older Medlock who scored his maiden 1st XI 50, took five wickets at Sidmouth and was man of the match in the side that won the Aaron Printers Cup.

The icing on the cake for the Devon age-group player was winning a place in the initial cohort of 13 players invited to join the new Devon Cricket Academy. Harry Ward, who captained the Aaron Printers Cup-winning side has also been enrolled at the academy.

Rory Medlock, Luke’s 15-year-old brother, was named 2nd XI player of the season. Spin-bowler Rory took 32 wickets at an average of 9.59 and averaged more than 40 with the bat.

Other award winners were 3rd XI player of the season Sam Simcox, Noah Wright, who bagged the Champagne Moment for two successive centuries in the 2nd XI and clubman of the year Tony Milton, who won the Bob Whitburn Trophy.

Paignton president Colin Knight praised the contribution of the whole Milton family during an emotional speech.

It was not only a boys’ night out as the achievements of the flourishing ladies section were also celebrated. Charlotte Massey took star billing as she was presented with the Devon Ladies’ League player-of-the-year trophy – an award voted for by opposition captains throughout the season.

Massey also collected the club’s ladies player of the year trophy. Julie Simpson was named ladies clubman having been heavily involved in the softball and hardball forms of the game. Emily Lander won the section’s Champagne Moment trophy for a direct hit run-out against Ipplepen.

Tim Ward, the Paignton chairman, shared the club’s plans to expand in 2020 with a men’s 4th XI and a ladies softball side.

“Our club has grown over the last few seasons as the result of a key group of committed volunteers and we now have a sizeable cricketing community in our part of Torbay,” said Ward.

“We are delighted to be able to run these new teams at Paignton, offering the opportunities that our sizeable youth section and social female cricketers deserve.”