James Murphy
THE Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association has celebrated its top performers of the 2023-24 season.
The association held its annual presentation night last week ahead of the weekend’s grand final fixtures, where the top clubs and players were recognised for the year.
Among the awards on offer was the prestigious Bill Whitty Medal for A Grade player of the year, which was received by West Gambier’s Sam Willis.
Willis was a deserving recipient after a standout season, where he impressed with both bat and ball.
Highlights included an unbeaten 129 runs in Round 5 against North Sportsman’s, as well as two five-wicket hauls against South Gambier and Penola in Round 3 and 7 respectively.
The Marrett Medal was awarded to the best performed Under 20 player and this season it was North Sportsman’s Isaac Mulraney who was the recipient.
West Gambier also received the Tony Norman Trophy after finishing A Grade minor premier, while the Roos’ A Grade side was named best performed team of the season.
That followed an impressive Barber Shield season which had West lose only one game on its way to the grand final.
West’s noteworthy season was further demonstrated when the West Gambier Cricket Club received the senior club of the year award.
Another West accolade came in the batting awards, with Richard Crute winning the B Grade batting trophy.
The A Grade award went to North’s Elliott Fisher, which came as no surprise after his recent 191-run performance.
That was not his only standout innings with the bat, with Fisher a consistent runmaker for the Tigers this campaign.
The C Grade batting award went to Tarpeena’s Alex Carter.
Looking at the other side of the game and Mil Lel captain Jack Miller took out the A Grade bowling award.
In a season where there was no shortage of impressive bowling performances, Miller took a total of 32 wickets.
His best return came in Round 5 against Penola, with a five-wicket haul on the opening day, followed by two in the second innings on Day 2.
Another five-wicket effort against East in Round 10 and a four-wicket performance in Round 9 against the Roos were also noteworthy.
In the minor grades Centrals’ Brayden Barker won the B Grade bowling award and Yahl’s Jamie Moody was the toast of the C Grade bowlers.
The top fielders of the season were also recognised, with South Gambier young-gun Jed Sims claiming the A Grade accolade.
Jason Phipps from Centrals secured the B Grade prize and the C Grade award went to Isaac Little.
In other notable awards, Junior Club of the Year went to the Millicent Cricket Club, while Luke Rainey received the Heath Case Memorial Junior Volunteer of the Year award.
INDIVIDUAL JUNIOR RESULTS
Batting Awards: Under 17 – Brodie Pfitzner (Mil Lel); Under 14 – Jagger Geary (South Gambier); Under 12 – Cooper Howard (South Gambier).
Bowling Awards: Under 17 – Sam Haase (West Gambier); Under 14 – Tayte Virtanen (Mil Lel), Cruz Gibson (Millicent); Under 12 – Frank Mules (Millicent).
Fielding Awards: Under 17 – Rhys Grigg (Mil Lel); Under 14 – Tom Richards (West/Centrals); Under 12 – Tyler Cox (Mil Lel).
