The annual Bryce Pollard Memorial cricket match between footballers and cricketers at Mick and Jean Walker Oval Mount Burr on Saturday night was its usual good-natured affair and a valuable fundraiser for Pancare and the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.


The cricketers were keen to make amends for their disappointing outcome of the match played that day against the Rendelsham Cricket Club who are the reigning premiers in the Millicent/Naracoorte Cricket Association.

The home team batted first and made only 94 with the visitors reaching the target for the loss of just two wickets.

After a two-hour break, the memorial match began in a sombre fashion when the competing teams paused to remember Bryce Pollard for the fourth consecutive year.

Nowadays, the yearly game is all about honouring the sad death from pancreatic cancer in 2019 of the 30-year-old Mount Burr sportsman.

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

The trophy was instigated in 2021 and it is the actual cricket bat once wielded by him.

It holds pride of place in the trophy cabinet in the licensed clubrooms.

One of his former team mates Daniel Cooney travelled 450km from Adelaide to take part in the 100-ball bash in his memory.

Before the first ball was bowled, organiser Nathan Muhovics gave an emotional speech.

“I appreciate the efforts of many who have arranged this match,” Muhovics said.

“When you are playing tonight, please keep this in the back of your mind.

“We are remembering a great bloke.”

The oval playing surface was in an excellent condition thanks to the efforts of long-time honorary groundsman Peter Henderson.

He sprays painted “BP 23” on the grass as this was Bryce Pollard’s football jumper number as well as his father Rick who pre-deceased him.

Henderson also participated in the game as the umpire with no DRS challenges permitted.

Sue Pollard, mother of Bryce, thanked the two clubs and the 120 spectators, volunteer caterers and raffle prize donors for honouring her son.

The year-old $200,000 oval lighting system was used to good effect from mid-evening.

Incoming Mount Burr United Football Club president Clint Bowering hopes the Mozzies can host Kalangadoo and Tantanoola in night games this winter.

Mount Burr plays its first game for 2024 at Kongorong on April 15.