The 17-year-old Raymond Terrace all-rounder was announced as the 2014-2015 winner on Saturday night after a solid season with both bat and ball.

In just his second summer playing top grade, the Central North under-17 skipper scored 346 runs and took 11 wickets, including best figures of 5-12 in the Lions first win of the season and a top score of 83. 

“It was a bit of a shock,” Smith said. 

“There are a lot of good players in Maitland so I wasn’t expecting it, especially being a youngster, but it was awesome news.”

Smith finished ahead of Western Suburbs all-rounder Michael Rees and City United skipper Matthew Trappel in the overall standings, which are determined by 3-2-1 umpire votes at the end of each match.

Rees topped the first grade batting aggregate and average with 574 runs at 57.40. The district bowling accolades were split between Raymond Terrace captain Nick Savage (29 wickets) and Northern Suburbs paceman Mitch Field (11.64).

City United’s Anru Kriel was voted first grade fielder of the year. 

Raworth’s Tim Burton picked up the Bradley Shone representative ­player of the year for his 13-wicket debut season in the Maitland colts ­premiership winning side.

The junior player of the year went to Bryce Pratt.

Robert Humphries collected the main umpire prize and Rodney Porter was given the encouragement award from the adjudicators. 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

District Cricket

First Grade: Brandon Smith (Raymond Terrace)

Second Grade: Clinton Cameron (City United)

Third Grade: Josh Sims (Raymond Terrace)

Fourth Grade: Reg Rogers (City United)

Fifth Grade: John Levery (Thornton Park)

One-Day Cricket

A-Grade: Russell Presland (Paterson)

B-Grade: Shawn Egans (Kurri Kurri Kookaburras), Dean Mills (Hinton)

C-Grade: Robert Bartlett (Seaham)

D-Grade: Richard Ryan (Tarro), Mitchell Cox (Regal Hunter)

E-Grade: Ken Balcombe (Maitland Ex-Services)