Bashley (Rydal) captain Michael Porter has been named ECB Southern Premier League Young Cricketer of the Year.
The hard working 21-year old Southampton Solent University student collected his award at the Premier League presentation dinner, having scored 613 runs this summer and snapped up nine catches.
Bashley chairman John Neal described Porter’s award as a “fitting accolade” – the Dorset opener having taken over the club captaincy from Henley-bound Richard Morris at the start of the season and led a successful campaign.
Porter, who cut his teeth in adult cricket with Poole Town before moving to Bournemouth, captained Hampshire’s Academy side before joining Bashley in 2015.
He steered the New Forest club into third place in the Premier Division this summer, besides winning the Time pennant for the best record in all-day cricket.
Neal said: “Michael being awarded the Young Player award is a fitting accolade for him at the end of a successful season for the club as a whole.
“The season began with us losing four Minor Counties players, including our highly successful captain Richard Morris, who was always going to be a very difficult act to follow.
“Not only has Michael led the side with a maturity beyond his years and instilled a team spirit based on his own easy going style, but has brought together a group of players, young and old, who are willing to play for him and the club.
“He has fitted into the whole club ethos and social life insisting his players do the same.
“He not only led with his captaincy, but also his fielding and batting, taking nine outfield catches and scoring 613 runs, to finish the second highest run scoring batsman in the Premier League.
“This allows him to attract talented young players to the club and continue his ambition of building a Bashley (Rydal) side good enough to contest and win the league.” Dave Vokes photo.
