Bill West
As widely anticipated, Gisborne captain Jarryd Vernon has won the highest individual award in McIntyre Cup cricket for season 2022-2023.
The talented 28-year-old allrounder received 20 votes to win the Sullivan Medal by seven votes from team-mate and former medal winner Mick Allen, who won the bowling award.
The medal count was conducted at the Gisborne District Cricket Association’s well attended annual presentation night held at Club Sunbury (Sunbury Bowling Club) last Wednesday evening.
Vernon led by example on the field, scoring 751 runs at an average of 93.88, and collecting more than 20 wickets as well.
He blitzed the aggregate award for the top grade with a massive 1041 points, easily the highest across all grades.
Vernon’s free scoring batting approach with an array of shots was sufficient to make him the prized wicket for opposition sides playing Gisborne.
He had been runner-up for the top award on two previous occasions.
Presenting the medal, legendary GDCA life member and treasurer (for 43 years) Kevin Sullivan commended Vernon on his outstanding season, and presented the medal.
Vernon said he would have loved to be leading his side in the grand final, but the Dragons had put in their one bad match at the wrong time in the semi-final against premiership winner Romsey.
He pledged to be back again with Gisborne next season, aiming to achieve the ultimate reward.
Leading votes: Jarryd Vernon 20, Mick Allen 13, Ben Way (Romsey) 12, Keiran Atkin (Wallan), Upul Fernando (Sunbury United) and Marcus Stewart (Woodend) all 11.
GDCA president Richard Bayly congratulated all the premiership sides and the individual trophy winners.
He said the season had culminated in several very close finishes, the Romsey versus Sunbury United grand final had been “a wonderful game”, and the Jensen Shield final had been a real cliffhanger with undefeated Hanging Rock coming from a shaky position to edge out Rupertswood.
Bayly and GDCA secretary Simon Overden expressed the hope the women’s competition would continue to expand next season, with more clubs likely to field teams.
BESSELL STARS
Inaugural Most Valuable Player in the women’s league was Darley star Kim Bessell, who was best afield in seven matches and scored 349 runs while being dismissed just once.
Bessell vowed to be back playing for Darley next season.
Leading votes: Kim Bessell 21, Brooke Jeffrey (Lancefield Black) 9,Sarah Bamford (Bacchus Marsh) 8, Taylah Logie (Kilmore), Hannah Smajila (Macedon) and Srishti (Aintree) all 7.
WAY REFLECTS
Romsey Cricket Club won the annual ‘Spirit of Cricket’ award, on top of its McIntyre Cup flag and having its other senior sides in grand finals.
Club coach Ben Way briefly reflected on Romsey’s gradual rise to prominence, tracing it back to when Chris Burkett first took on coaching the Redbacks.
Way said players often shied off coming to a club which is battling, and Romsey had encouraged young players to aim high and progress from junior ranks.
The Redbacks’ teams now have players who love playing together, and want to be successful.
After the McIntyre Cup grand final win over Sunbury United, Way vowed Romsey would be back as a strong McIntyre Cup contender again next season.
