FORMER England Ashes winner Ashley Giles has presented Monmouth Cricket Club's junior section with their end-of-season awards.

Giles, whose sister Tracy Hodgson coaches Monmouth's girls' section, was a popular guest and told a packed audience about his proudest moments in the sport.

The visit from the former England international one-day head coach rounded off another outstanding junior season for Monmouth Cricket Club.

The evening, hosted by Monmouth Rugby Club, was huge success, with all young players collecting at least one medal and was organised by hard-working youth co-ordinator Jon Despontin.

Young left-arm spinner Ben Davies was given a special club honour after taking 33 wickets for Wales Under-12s – a new season's record for the age group.

George Williamson, who represented Gwent, was the under-15s player of the season, while Ben Pilot, Sam Swingwood and Tom McNally won top honours for the under-13s, under-11s and under-9s respectively.

Catrin Watkins scooped the girls' player-of-the-season award, while Patrick Stubbs was the most improved boy in the under-9s and Jordan Suttie marked his debut season as the most improved player in the under-13s.

It was also a memorable evening for the Maguire sisters who have made huge progress since joining the club two years ago. Shannon picked up the under-11s most improved player award and was part of the side who were runners-up in the Monmouthshire Junior League Under-11 Premier Division.

Lauren won the under-9s most improved award and captained Monmouth against a strong Chepstow team, while Megan Maguire, who collected a medal for having played for the under-9 team, bagged five wickets and has taken a keen interest in keeping wicket.

 Giles, who is Lancashire's newly-appointed head coach and director of cricket, was given a warm introduction by club chairman Martin Newell.

The evening was attended by Chris Jenkins, manager at the King's Head in Monmouth, who represented the cricket club's main sponsors, JD Wetherspoon.

And Giles, a former left-arm spinner, who took 143 Test wickets, answered questions from the children, handed out the honours, signed autographs and posed for photographs.

Monmouth Cricket Club's junior award winners for 2014: Under-15s: player of season, George Williamson. Under-13s: player of season, Ben Pilot; most improved, Jordan Suttie. Under-11s: player of season, Sam Swingwood; most improved, Shannon Maguire. Under-9s: player of season, Tom McNally; most improved boy, Patrick Stubbs; most improved girl, Lauren Maguire. Girls' player of season, Catrin Watkins. Special club award: Ben Davies.