It was a coincidence the annual cricket match between footballers and cricketers at Mount Burr fell on Australia Day on Sunday.


It was all about honouring the sad death from pancreatic cancer in 2019 of 30-year-old Mount Burr sportsman Bryce Pollard.


Bryce represented both Mount Burr sporting clubs each summer and winter and was a popular figure with the Mozzies and the wider sporting fraternity.


The trophy was instigated in 2020 and is the cricket bat once wielded by him.


It holds pride of place in the entrance foyer to the licensed clubrooms of the Mozzies.


As before, some of his former teammates and work mates travelled 450km from Adelaide to take part in the 100-ball bash in his memory at Mick and Jean Walker Oval.


With the cricketers setting the footballers an unreachable target in the sixth annual summertime contest, the tally now stands at three apiece.


In a poignant gesture, Bryce’s photo and his cricket gear and football guernsey were displayed at the Can Hill viewing area alongside the 26 raffle prizes.


The oval playing surface was in tip-top condition thanks to the efforts of long-time honorary groundsman Peter Henderson and a newly-installed watering system.


Mr Henderson’s work was not done as he also volunteered his time manning the bar on Can Hill.


Since 2022, the Bryce Pollard memorial match has been a fundraiser for Pancare and the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.


Chief organiser is Sue Pollard, mother of Bryce, who gathers support from local businesses for raffle prizes.


She has thanked the businesses for their generosity and the wider Mount Burr sporting community for honouring her son’s life.


“This is a bitter/sweet day for me and family,” she said.


“It was great to see some of Bryce’s mates here from Adelaide and around 150 people in all.


“The raffle raised just over $1500 and the Mount Burr football and cricket clubs also donate to the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.”