Beesley is the business after scooping top award
Sportsdesk • Published 22 Nov 2012 16:31
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Girl power: Nicole Beesley receives her trophy and £50 voucher from Rob Dyer of AW Sports, right. Also in the picture, from left to right, dad Nigel Beesley, Simon Beard, president of Mortimer CC, and Jack Taylor from AW Sports. Picture: Alicia Field. Order reference: 127204.
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NICOLE Beesley has enjoyed a year to remember on the cricket field - and she has just won a top prize off it.
The 17-year-old from Newbury rose to fame when she became the first female to win an award in the Reading Midweek League this summer.
And Nicole, who plays for Berkshire Ladies and Mortimer CC, has been honoured for her achievements by winning the Reading Chronicle's Sports Personality of the Month for October.
Votes flooded in from members of the public and Nicole was the overwhelming winner in a three-horse race that included rugby player Tom Howe, a Shiplake College sixth former selected to play for England U18s, and Reading boxer Tamuka Mucha, 19.
Nicole collected her prize of a trophy plus a £50 voucher from sponsors AW Sports this week.
And the sports-mad teenager paid tribute to those who helped develop her career.
"I would like to say a massive thank you to Mortimer Cricket Club and to all the players who have made me feel welcome over the years," she said.
"A special thank you goes to Craig Cox who first mentioned the Reading Midweek League to me and, as captain, involved me in as many games as possible which helped me to develop as a player.
"I would also like to thank Simon Beard who has greatly supported me throughout my time with Mortimer which has been a memorable and great experience."
Nicole is studying for her A Levels at John Madejski Academy in Reading.
As well as turning out for Mortimer CC and Berkshire Ladies as a solid batsman and lively medium pacer, Nicole also plays football for Newbury Ladies FC.
And she added: "A final thank you must go to everyone who voted for me, all my cricket team-mates, all my school friends and my family.
"I would have not gained this fantastic award without their support."
The award is also an honour for Mortimer CC and their policy of bringing young players through.
It was through her consistent performances in the Reading Midweek League that she finished in a four-way tie for the Division Three Player of the Season Award.
It was the first time in the league history the feat had been achieved by a female.
Simon Beard, president of Mortimer CC, beamed: "Nicole has been playing midweek cricket for Mortimer over the past three seasons and regularly plays for Berkshire Ladies who were T20 finalists in 2012.
"The midweek award has given great encouragement to the younger players at our club and they want to replicate Nicole's achievement in all forms of club cricket over the 2013 season."
Mortimer CC already have a fixture penciled in for next April against Berkshire Ladies.
++ TO nominate someone for our November Sports Personality Award email sport@berksmedia.co.uk or contact us via Twitter or Facebook.
This article appeared in Bracknell News 22 Nov 12
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