Somerset and England star Jack Leach is special guest

Somerset’s chief executive Jamie Cox, director of crickrt Andy Hurry, head coach Jason Kerr, SCCC women’s captain Sophie Luff and SCCC player Emma Corney were also among the 86 guests at the luncheon.

The Harry Burden Young Cricketer of the Year Award was won for the second year in succession by Thomas Rew.

He wasn’t able to be presented with his award as he is away in Australia scoring runs for England Lions.

This season 17 year old Thomasskippered England Under 19s in the home Test and ODI series against both India and Bangladesh.

Against India, he scored the fastest ever England Under 19 ODI century, eventually making 131 off just 89 balls.

He played for the First Class County Select XI in a four-day match against Zimbabwe and scored 103 not out off 107 balls.

Thomas averaged 44 for Somerset in the Metro Bank 50 Over Competition with a top score of 84 not out against Durham and played in three T20 Blast matches.

The Harry Burden Bursary, generously partly funded by Somerset County Sports, was awarded to 17 year old Verity Clark.

Verity, a right arm seam bowler, is currently studying for her A levels at The Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar and began her cricketing career at Cheddar Cricket Club.

Having joined the Somerset Pathway when she was 11, Verity captained the Somerset Under 15s on several occasions, taking her first 5-fer against Devon.

When she was just 13, Verity made her Somerset Under 18s debut and took four wickets against Cornwall.

In 2022, Verity was selected to represent Western Storm Academy for two seasons and made her debut for Somerset Women against Gloucestershire in 2024 in a T20 match.

She was selected for the first Somerset Women’s Academy this season, representing them in several matches and has retained her place for next season.

England quick bowler Lauren Filer is a previous winner of this award and it would not be a surprise if Verity followed in her footsteps.