Peter Manser’s immediate impact on the Gisborne and Distrct Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup was rewarded as he was named the Ken Sullivan medalist for the best player in the competition on Wednesday night.
The Woodend bowler, who came across from Premier Cricket side Greenvale Kangaroos this season, won the medal with 18 votes, one vote ahead of Romsey allrounder Chris Burkett.
Manser took 47 wickets and averaged 33 with the bat.
Manser and Burkett, who took out the bowling and batting awards respectively, were the front-runners for the medal for most of the night.
After six rounds Burkett led with 12 votes and Manser was second on 10.
Manser hit the lead in round eight and was joined by Gisborne’s Jarryd Vernon on 15 votes in round 12 after he had three consecutive best afield performances.
Burkett was a vote further back.
One vote to Vernon in round 13 saw him take the outright lead with one round to go.
Manser and Burkett were awarded three votes each in the last match of the season to overtake Vernon, who didn’t poll.
Vernon, Manser and Burkett were all named in the team of the year.
All eight clubs were represented in the team with Sunbury United premiership captain James Hughes named captain of the side.
Others named in the team of the year were Gisborne’s Simon Harman, Bacchus Marsh’s Peter Lalor, Sunbury’s Jacob Brewer and Jason McGann, Sunbury United’s Ryan Billinghurst and Lance Watts, Wallan’s Todd Keenan and Riddell’s Matthew Livingstone.
