YOUNG Sami Hamid has been recognised for his achievements this summer in the Gloucestershire Under-12s side by winning their Player of the Year award.

The youngster from Winterbourne was the leading wicket-taker with 21, including 4-9 against Dorset, 3-16 versus Devon and 3-29 against Surrey during the season.

Hamid took at least one wicket in every game that he played for Gloucestershire and his economy rate was under three runs per over.

And Mollie Bliss, from Frenchay, has also been recognised for a great performance during the summer.

The Gloucestershire Under-13 girls team member put in a display against Hampshire which saw her run out their strongest batter with a direct hit.

Then, chasing down 89 to win on a difficult wicket and with wickets tumbling, Bliss batted calmly and with great assurance to help her side to victory with a crucial 24 runs.

The Gloucestershire professional squad joined more than three hundred people to celebrate the next generation of county stars at their annual junior awards evening.

Players including skipper Gareth Roderick handed out the trophies to the outstanding age group players of 2016 while Ian Cockbain and Benny Howell took part in an on-stage question and answer session.

Guests also listened to a recap of the season for each of the 12 boys and girls teams, including the under 11 girls who had a one hundred record in 2016 and the under 13 and 14 boys squads who won their respective Taunton Festivals.

Speaking at the presentation, which was held at the Brightside Ground, Gloucestershire Cricket Board’s head of performance Tim Hancock said: “It has been another excellent season for Gloucestershire’s county age groups and the future looks very bright indeed.”

Hancock paid tribute to the former junior players who have graduated into the senior first team. These include Winterbourne’s James Bracey who made his debut in the last County Championship match of the season against Sussex.