Potts at the double at awards night

The 24 year old collected the ‘Player’s Player of the Year’ and ‘Bowler of the Year’ awards and said he was delighted.

Potts commented: “When I heard about both awards, I was over the moon. It’s always a great feeling to contribute to the team and to be recognised for your performances.”

The ‘Bowler of the Year’ came as a surprise – as Potts believes his cricketing credentials have changed full circle over several campaigns: “For the last few years I reckon I’m probably a batter who bowls a bit,” he added, “In my earlier years I was definitely a better bowler whilst not being as confident with the bat but I look at it now as a role reversal - so it’s a bit ironic that I got the bowler of the year award.”

Alnwick-born Potts continued: “Last season was a bit different with the way the ball was coming out of my hand. I pitched it up and it was moving a lot so things worked out alright for me. I was either opening the bowling or coming on as first change and I ended up with more than 40 league wickets and 60 plus overall.”

Second XI skipper Josh Robinson said: “Matty was excellent all year with the ball. He had an excellent season and on occasions scored important runs for us too. With the ball he could do no wrong and every time we needed a wicket I turned to him.”

Also on the night, Sam Alderson won the Captain’s Player of the Year award whilst Michael Levison was the Batter of the year.

Robinson said of Alderson - who is only 14 years of age: “It was a hard decision between Sam and Greg Williams. Sam was only 13 (years of age) when he broke into the team and scored a lot of league runs so it was nice to give him some recognition for what he’s done. Greg meanwhile is a senior member of club came up with important runs and kept wicket all season - something which he’s never done before but he made it look easy.”

Robinson said of Levison: “He was as steady as always - a rock at the top of the order and beat everybody else hands down with the number of runs he scored. He was consistent and reliable.”