Cricket’s Best honoured at Presentation Day

BY MICK CATTANACH

A successful and eventful season for Hay cricket was concluded recently on a Friday evening with the annual presentation held at the Crown Hotel. 

All the players from the Cricket Blasters program run by Charlie Wythes received a certificate.

Simon Bunyan and Josh Gardiner, the tireless Saturday morning coordinators, reminded the players of the importance of practice as they handed out key awards

The batting award went to Alex Giddins, bowling Euen Kerr, fielding Jack Harrison, most improved Henry Cannon and encouragement Tom Cannon. 

Milliken Shield coach George Auldist spoke of a successful season where the team went very close to making the final.

The coaches award went to Harry Houston, encouragement award to Ned Harrison, bowling award went to Bill Houston, the batting Archie Auldist and the Milliken Player of the Year was Dallas Giddins. 

Hay's representative cricketers were noted with Alice Caldow representing Country NSW, and David Caldow Riverina Under 16's.

A number of players represented Murrumbidgee Cricket Council including Josh Gardiner who captained the Under 16s.   

The local Hay Senior cricket competition was won by the South Hay Crusaders and captained by Simon Bunyan. 

It was a good season thanks in no small part to the work of Rob Neil and Chuck Harrington in getting the wickets up and umpiring volunteers like Ed Lilburne and Tom McGufficke. 

Dean Aylett was named Representative Player of the Year, and runner up bowler of the year, after another solid season. Images: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland.

The award winners for the senior competition were:

Batting Award - Simon Bunyan who scored 411 runs at an average of 82. 

Runner-up was Jensen Hargreaves with 302 runs, and third was Liam Whitbourne with 244 runs. 

Bowling Award - Digby Lilburne who took 14 wickets at 4.71 average. 

Runner-up was Dean Aylett with 13 wickets and the evergreen Bill Auldist with 12 wickets.

Michael Howard Most Valuable Player was Simon Bunyan with 15 votes, with Jensen Hargreaves and Liam Whitbourne runners up. 

Beissel Shield was awarded to Simon Bunyan.

The Hay Senior representative side, brilliantly led by Simon Bunyan, had a very successful season, including winning the coveted O'Farrell Cup from Albury/Wodonga. 

The first time Albury/Wodonga had lost in five years and the first time Hay had won in 50 years! 

Hay Cricket also twice beat Griffith during the season and put two representative teams on the field at the end of the season; a great achievement and credit to players putting their hand up to represent Hay. 

Unfortunately, Hay did not hold both cups by season end, but it was without a doubt a massive season, and the biggest in over 20 years.  

The winner of the Representative Cricketer of the Year award was Dean Aylett who took 14 wickets over the rep season and also scored 82 runs.

His high quality off spin bowling was a key to Hay's success during the year. 

The top three was rounded out by Simon Bunyan and Rupert Lilburne, both of whom contributed substantially to the season. 

The prestigious Clive Davenport Award for the Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Pragnesh Patel. 

Pragnesh has been fundamental to the success of the Senior Cricket competition with him putting together the Hay Titans cricket team. 

He also provides man power for preparation of the wickets throughout the season, helping Rob and Chuck in any aspect of preparation. 

Pragnesh is also a regular contributor to any catering needs of the competition helping provide produce or food to key events and matches. 

Pragnesh a very worthy winner of the Davenport.