Another year has come and gone for Essex County Cricket Club, and the best of the 2018 campaign was celebrated last night in the Club’s on-pitch marquee as the End of Season Gala Dinner took place.
Players from the first-team squad were in attendance, as were sponsors, supporters and staff who have given their all for Essex over the last year.
Essex legend Graham Gooch hosted the event and Simon Harmer scooped several of the big awards, taking the Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and the Bowler of the Year after taking 57 County Championship wickets.
He edged out Jamie Porter for a few of those awards, but Jamie didn’t leave empty-handed and took home the Media Player of the Year and the Performance of the Year for his display against Worcestershire.
Ravi Bopara claimed Batsman of the Year having averaged 43.11 in the County Championship, whilst Sam Cook deservedly won First XI Young Player of the Year after claiming 27 County Championship wickets and Aron Nijjar took the Second XI Player of the Year.
Varun Chopra, Will Buttleman, Simon Gibbs, Chris Drummond, Mady Villers and Joe Freestone also collected awards over the course of the night, with the full list of winners shown below.
WINNERS:
Player of the Year (sponsored by DeVines Accountants): Simon Harmer
Players’ Player of the Year: Simon Harmer
Batsman of the Year: Ravi Bopara
Bowler of the Year: Simon Harmer
Eagles Player of the Year: Varun Chopra
First XI Young Player of the Year (sponsored by Euroline): Sam Cook
Media Player of the Year: Jamie Porter
Performance of the Year (sponsored by Euroline): Jamie Porter vs Worcestershire
Second XI Player of the Year: Aron Nijjar
Academy Player of the Year (sponsored by Allen Ford): Will Buttleman
‘One Team, One Dream’ Award (sponsored by Hamro): Simon Gibbs
Club Person of the Year: Chris Drummond
Women’s Player of the Year (in partnership with Newham Council): Mady Villiers
Ability Player of the Year: Joe Freestone
A huge thank you must go to the Club’s on-pitch marquee sponsors, D&A Media, Fenwick, Greene King IPA, Spotlight Sound, Weston Homes and Woodland Group for supporting the club and making last night possible.
