ADRIAN Dale, pictured, was named Glamorgan player of the year for the second season running at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, yesterday.

Dale took the award ahead of Australian opener Jimmy Maher and England offspinner Robert Croft after a season which brought him more than 1,000 runs at an average of over 50.

He hit three centuries and four further half centuries as well as leading the side twice when Steve James was injured.

The 31-year-old Chepstow product said: "It was always an ambition to win the player of the year award. To win it two years running is an expectation beyond my dreams. I am proud and delighted."

Dale will enjoy a club benefit in 2002.

Pontypridd's Jonathan Hughes won the young player of the year award for the seconds. Hughes scored an unbeaten 49 on his county championship debut against Surrey.

Special presentations were made to Croft on his England selection to tour India this winter, to wicketkeeper Mark Wallace and paceman Simon Jones on their selection for the England Cricket Academy, and to retiring seamer Steve Watkin for his 16 years service and 900+ wickets for the county.

Glamorgan have still to decide on whether to retain Jimmy Maher as their overseas player next season or to go for a top class overseas paceman while skipper Steve James, who won't know until the middle of next month if he is to remain as captain, promised Glamorgan would bounce back to the championship First Division next season.