Umpires and Scorers’ awards handed out
Nine awards were handed out to umpires and scorers across the county as the Shropshire Association of Cricket Officials held their first Presentation Evening.
The awards were presented by Jack Shantry, the former Shropshire and Worcestershire cricketer who has now become an umpire in First Class cricket and officiated as his first international game this Summer.
They included a special Outstanding Contribution to Officiating award which went to Andy Jackson from Guilsfield and Llandrinio CC who has continued to officiate at the club despite a devastating cancer diagnosis.
The nomination from the club said: “Four years ago, our loyal umpire Andy was diagnosed with cancer – it was devastating news for the club. However, the way he faced his massive operation, chemotherapy and recovery was simply incredible.
“He continued to umpire, even on one occasion being connected to his chemotherapy drip! In fact, the extra officials point he gained for us, helped the club secure promotion by just two points.
“Sadly, the cancer returned and an operation was not possible, so he is now enduring fortnightly chemotherapy, and is no longer able to stand for long periods of time so he had to give up umpiring.“Instead he took the scorers course as he didn’t want to let the club down! This season he turned up to score at every game – except one where he was simply not well enough.
“His live scoring and operation of the scoreboard has been exemplary despite often feeling extremely fatigued and dehydrated
“He is truly inspirational to us all. At times it feels he lives for cricket”.
Guilsfield and Llandrinio CC Chair David Williams said: “Cricket for us is much more than 11v11, it is something that enables us to bring the community together and provide opportunities for all, and Andy’s story inspires us to keep trying to do more.”
There was another poignant moment in the evening with tributes paid to Craig Simms the scorer at Madeley CC for the past 27 years who recently died.
County Scorers Officer and Regional Scorers Officer for the West Midlands Clair Eccleston said: “Craig was a value member of our scoring family. For nearly three decades, Craig was the steady hand behind the scorebook at Madeley CC – the constant through generations of players, captains and matches.
“But he was more than just a scorer.
“He was a friend. A familiar, welcoming face at the ground and someone who gave his time without ever asking for recognition. What stood out for me was his love for the game and commitment to the people around it.”
She said that to continue his legacy, she was proud to announce the creation of the Craig Simms Award for Scorer of the Year in the Shropshire Premier and Division One.
The first recipient of the award, voted on by panel umpires to recognise outstanding commitment, team work, accuracy and contribution to the game from the score box, was Mary Logan of Wem CC.
Clair said: “She is not only a top-class scorer in the Premier Division, but also a true pillar of her club. She brings warmth, humour and professionalism to every match day, and has even been known to abandon the score box to sprint on to the field with First Aid box in hand.”
The Club Scorer of the Year award, nominated by clubs or teams to recognise their commitment and dedication to the game, went to Richard Jones from Alberbury CC.
Clair said: “Richard is meticulous, reliable and a huge part of why matchdays at his club run as smoothly as they do.
“But what really made this year special, was his willingness to embrace change. After years in the old scorebook with his coloured pens, he stepped into the digital world – moving to electronic scoring, giving his club live updates for the very first time.
“And if that wasn’t enough, when the old scoreboard gave up last season, he took it upon himself to arrange a new one over the winter – quietly making sure everything was ready for the new season.”
The Most Supportive Scorer Award went to Richard Wynne from Oswestry CC.
Clair said: “He’s the scorer for Oswestry’s 3rd XI, and helped set up the electronic scoreboard and software and trains others how to use it. He helps out around the club and is invaluable to the other scorers.”
The Most Improved Scorer Award went to Becki White from Willey CC.
Clair said: “It’s only fitting that we recognise someone who truly embodies what it means to grow, step out of their comfort zone and commit to being better.
“Throughout this season, Becki has worked incredibly hard. Not only has she improved her scoring skills, but she’s stepped up and proved herself outside of her club environment.
“She’s reliable, adaptable and a true team player – swapping matches when needed and, in some cases, even stepping aside to give others a chance, sometimes after booking time off work to be available.”
Club Umpire of the Year award went to Mark Rowe from Calverhall CC.
SACO Appointments Officer Colin Wetherley-Mein said: “Known as ‘Bacca’, Mark is known by most clubs as being fair, good spirited and an official who embodies the spirit of cricket. Mark has given many years to Calverhall umpiring nearly every game.”
The Best New Panel Umpire Award went to Ian Simmons.
Colin said: “We have been lucky this year in recruiting a number of quality new umpires to our panel – Ray Collins, John Gough, Ian Simmons to name just a few. Ian just shaded the award based on captains’ marks.”
The Most Improved Umpire of the Year award went to Steve Chandler.
Colin said: “This is awarded to the umpire that has shown the greatest progression over the past 12 months, with input from the captains’ marks.
“Steve did a really good job during the season, and came third on the marks list. He had a couple of really difficult games on his own and handled them really well.”
The Panel Umpire of the Year Award went to Andy Johnson.
Colin said: “This is the third year Andy has been with us and he’s been consistently at the top of the list. He officiated in 19 games this season and only dropped six points all season.”
There was also recognition for two members of the Young Officials programme run by Nathan Bartram – Sanisa Golar and Olivia Ashely.
Both joined the programme by doing the Introduction to Umpiring course last Winter and continued to develop their skills through the Summer – including umpiring a Girls County Age Group game.
Colin said: “They are just starting their umpiring journey and have been praised by clubs and fellow umpires who have seen them in action.”
In addition to the awards, following an introduction by SACO Chair Tom Kane, Secretary Andy Johnson gave a brief review of the season, Jack Shantry gave a talk on field craft, and Dave Nock covered the Umpires pathway and courses and training available ahead of the 2026 season.
