Tara Murray
Sunbury United’s Damien Edwards pipped Bacchus Marsh’s Nick Strangio to be named the best player in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association.
Edwards was on Wednesday named the winner of the association’s Sullivan Medal for the best player in the McIntyre Cup.
Edwards finished on 14 votes, one clear of Strangio.
Last season’s winner Mick Allen, Wallan’s Bryan Vance and Gisborne’s Pat McKenna rounded out the top three, all a further vote back.
Edwards made 408 this season at an average 45.33. It included a top score of 103
He also took five wickets.
It’s the second successive season the Sullivan Medallist has come from Sunbury United, with Dilan Chandima winning it last season after a dominant season.
Edwards said he was shocked to claim the medal. He said it was the first time he had ever been invited to a competition best and fairest awards night.
“I’m in a bit of a shock,” he said. ” I thought I would go okay.
“I look back and I guess it was a consistent season, but I didn’t expect it to be me.
Edwards said it was a nervous final round, with him in front by one vote. None of the top place getters polled in the final round.
He said the difference in his game this season was stepping up and taking his cricket more seriously.
“I took on a bit more responsibility for the team and my own game,” he said.
“Been drifting and going through the motions the last few years, My coach Upul [Fernando], instilled a lot of belief into me and he has been a key in my success.”
Edwards played a key role for the Bees, who were knocked out of the finals in straight sets, after going through the regular season undefeated.
He said winning a McIntyre Cup premiership was the one thing he really wanted.
Edwards was also named captain of the McIntyre Cup team of the year, while Gisborne star Allen was named as vice-captain.
Both were named as openers in the team.
Gisborne captain Jason Wilson, Vance, Strangiom, McKenna, Diggers Rest Bulla’s Nalaka De Silva, Sunbury United’s Sammika and Senura Perera and Rajitha Mendis, Wallan’s Ryan Bonner and Romsey’s Jake East.
Wilson won the batting award making 382 runs at an average of 63.67, while Senura Perera was claimed the bowling award with 23 wickets at an average of 10.25
Allen won the aggregate award.
In the Johnstone Shield, Riddell took home both the batting and bowling awards.
Michael Day made 324 runs at an average of 54, while Jarryd Stancombe took 22 wickets at 10.95.
Kyneton’s Harrison Sheahan won the aggregate award.
In the Jensen Shield, Lancefield’s Mark Caton won the batting award and St Anthonys’ David Szabo, while Blackwood’s Luke Whitehouse won the aggregate award.
In other awards, Woodend won the Spirit of Cricket Award.
Sunbury’s Ron Smith was awarded GDCA life membership.
