ASHES star Mark Wood commended the community spirit shown at flood-hit Corbridge Cricket Club as he took time out of his busy schedule to visit the Tyne Valley.

The Ashington-born England international who claimed the winning wicket in last year‘s series with Australia was bowled over by the positivity from members of The Stanners club despite receiving the recent news that their clubhouse had been condemned and needed to be demolished because of the flood damage caused in December.

The building was destroyed when the River Tyne burst its banks late last year, and the club is looking at an overall cost of damages of £150,000 all in.

Yet they have vowed to rebuild in time for 2017 - and will play on when the new season gets under way in April.

This optimism was praised by 26-year-old Wood, who played a handful of games for Tynedale as professional in 2013, as he and his first team coach at Durham John Lewis handed out the awards at the club’s annual presentation evening - ahead of travelling to South Africa for a training camp the following day!

Wood said: “The brilliant junior section and the support here at Corbridge, just with the turn-out tonight, is what the community is all about.

”The cricket club was damaged but it‘s exciting that they get to start again, and I think they will come back stronger in 2017.

”As an Ashington lad, I have a great affection for Northumberland and it is great to support local clubs like Corbridge, where I would have played as a junior.

“The juniors here can see I have come from a similar, minor county background and there are opportunities out there. There‘s a been a few bowling awards tonight, so I’ll have to watch my back!”

Wood and Lewis were on hand to present more than 30 trophies to Corbridge members, from their U11 team right through to their three senior men‘s and two women’s teams, who impressed throughout 2015.

Promising youngster Ellie Tiffin left the awards laden with accolades after an eye-catching break through season with the Angels, as well as a dominant display in junior cricket.

She was joint best fielder with Ben Dykins in the U13A team, the best bowler in the U13 girls‘ side she captained to the runners-up spot in the national Lady Taverners Hardball Competition and also received the Noel Dixon Trophy was also named the most promising junior member at the club.

For the first time, her age allowed her to play for the senior women’s side and she more than made an impression which earned her the players’ player of the year award from her teammates.

The U13 girls took a lot of the plaudits on the night for their remarkable run to the national final, and all members of the team received caps in honour of their achievement.

In the section, Harriet Robson won the batting award, Georgia Downs was named most improved player and Lizzie Scott was player of the year.

The U13 mixed team received a special mention too as Northumberland winners of the ECB NatWest national club competition, captained by Finn Garrett Jowsey.

He was best batsman in the B team with Katie Chomse best bowler, Alex Willis most improved and eight-year-old Freddie Dover was the night‘s youngest winner by scooping the manager’s player of the year.

Milo Robinson picked up the trophy for best batting averages in the U13A team, with Ben Dykins winning the bowling equivalent. Max Newby was most improved with Corey Dover best all-rounder.

Corey also impressed at U11 level as he recorded the best bowling figures, with Conor Garrett Jowsey the best batter. For his performances, he received the Gus Genner Trophy for most promising U11 player.

Meanwhile, Alexander Trim was the U11’s most improved player.

Cameron Szweda impressed with the U15 to be crowned best all-rounder, with Tom Scott topping the batting charts and Finn McKendrick leading the way with the ball.

To go with his trophy for most wicketkeeping victims with 15 catches and eight stumpings in the Northumberland Cricket League, Ross Atkinson was the senior men‘s team’s first XI best batsman.

Andy Dover, who received one of a handful of President‘s Awards from Chris Roberts for a great bowling performance, ended as the team‘s leading bowler.

Second team captain Chris Jowsey left with both trophies for best bowling and batting in the team, while Dave Cox was best batsman for West Tyne League outfit Corbridge Millers. Charles Reid posted best bowling averages.

The Angels enjoyed the limelight as both teams have performed well this season, aided by the new arrival of Yves Benfold who scooped the prizes for best batting and bowling in the first team.

Jenny Wilkes, who received a President‘s Award for her batting display, was best batter in the second team, with best mate Jen Sewell best bowler. Sandra Tiffin won the Captain’s Award from Lisa Scott.

President Chris Roberts also handed out trophies to Dave Cox for best performance of the season, to Daniel Craigie and Derek Robinson for bowling displays and to David Hardy for outstanding contribution to the club.