It was a big week for the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association and it all started last Wednesday night when the best of the best gathered for the end of season presentations.
All the usual awards were presented, but none pulled the heartstrings like the inaugural Heath Case Memorial Junior Volunteer of the Year which opened the night.
The award in honour of the late Case, who was a vital part of cricket at all levels in the Limestone Coast recognises the person who poured the most in to keep the game going.
Many worthy candidates were submitted, but the work of Michael Gibson stood out to be named the inaugural winner.
Gibson was declared a worthy recipient of the award due to his dedication to the Millicent Cricket Club’s junior program across all levels from Woolworths Cricket Blast to Under 17’s and said it was the “proudest thing” he had ever won.
Round 7 of the Hoggies Wines Barber Shield was also dedicated to Case and turned into a celebration of his life where the entire cricket community donated to his family and Beyond Blue.
During presentations the Association made a special presentation where the half of the $12,016.60 raised was presented to the Case family, while the other half was donated to Beyond Blue.
The B Grade Crouch Shield player of the year award was also named after a former great in honour of Neal Shalles and after a stellar all-round season, West Gambier’s Niall Easterbrook took the award home.
The top gong was once again the Whitty Medal and after one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, it was an open race for the award.
As predicted, the medal count produced a tight race and eight players remained in the running for first prize heading into the final round.
Leading the way by one vote was East Gambier’s Dion Stratford, who looked settled knowing he had a match-winning performance in the final round up his sleeve.
But he only received two votes, while Penola’s Jack Mullan received a full house for his back-to-back 50s against Mil Lel.
It meant Stratford and Mullan finished the count tied on 11 votes each, well ahead of the chasing pack with six players all tied five votes back.
Both victors were honoured to have the prestigious medal around the necks with Stratford doubling his tally, while Mullan won it for the first time.
“It was nice to win the medal for the first time and it was a little surprise because I thought Dion was going to take it out,” Mullan said.
“But I am happy with the outcome and I feel my batting form has been the best it has been.”
“I was leading into the last round, but it was a good surprise to sneak a couple of votes in and share the medal after seeing Jack’s name pop up with three votes,” Stratford said.
“The was a little bit of anticipation during it, but you never know, so it is very nice to come through with the medal, but I would swap it for a premiership every day of the week.”
Stratford started the season strong with back-to-back unbeaten half centuries before finishing with some critical innings – including a match-winning effort v West Gambier – in the last three games to finish with 388 runs.
Mullan was a big performer scoring 677 runs at an average of 42 headlined by a century against North Sportsman’s, but also took 13 wickets with his leg-spin inspired by Shane Warne.
