JACK Brooks and Demi Lambourne could not hide their joy after landing top honours at this year's awards ceremony.

Yorkshire cricketer Brooks and Oxford United Women's goalkeeper Lambourne won the sportsman and sportswoman of the year accolades in front of a packed gathering at the Kassam Stadium.

Brooks helped Yorkshire to a second successive County Championship title, and also represented England Lions.

Lambourne established herself as Oxford United’s No 1, as well as earning a call-up to the England Under 20 squad.

Brooks has made the shortlist on several occasions previously without winning, and he admitted it was a big thing to be recognised in your home county.

“It is very humbling,” he said.

“I have been lucky enough to win things as a team over the past few years, but it is quite unusual for anyone to receive an individual award so it is very nice.

“When I moved to Yorkshire it was made perfectly clear that I was a foreigner. But apparently after three years I am now an adopted Yorkshireman which is pleasing.

“However, I am very proud to be from Oxfordshire, from the tiny village of Tiddington where I come back to as often as possible and get involved in the cricket club there.”

Despite getting his big break in county cricket quite late, Brooks has made up for lost time and has spent the last few seasons fighting to become the country’s leading wicket taker.

But he has also, on occasion, starred with the bat too.

“I am living the dream to be honest with you,” he said.

“I am playing with some of the best players in the country.”

He added: “I am certainly not known for my batting, but I have got a couple of 50s, including one with the England Lions on my shirt, so that really did mean a lot to me.

“But it’s amazing to get recognised in this way.

“I just see myself as a bit of a village idiot from Tiddington, who has stumbled his way up the M1 to join the best team in the country.”

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Demi Lambourne shows off her sportsman of the year award

For Lambourne, the award caps a breakthrough year.

The 19-year-old was on an international training camp with her country over the weekend, and needed to get the all-clear to return to Oxford and attend the evening.

“It has been a massive year for me,” she said.

“We (Oxford) really struggled last year, but we managed to finish mid-table this season and kept a lot more clean sheets too which is obviously a big thing for me.

“I am on an England Under 20 training camp, but was given special permission to leave there tonight to come here.”

She added: “My goal is certainly to go full time.

“I am training with the men at Oxford and to be involved with the pros is a big thing.

“The Women’s World Cup was huge for the game and now for me to win this – it’s a really big thing. A big honour.

“It ends my season on a real high.”