The actual winner of the annual cricket match between footballers and cricketers at Mount Burr on Sunday was relatively unimportant.
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 last year and is the cricket bat once wielded by him.
Some of his former team mates travelled 450km from Adelaide to take part in the T20 cricket match in his memory at “Mick” and Jean Walker Oval.
In a poignant gesture, Bryce’s photo and his cricket gear and football guernsey were displayed at the Can Hill viewing area.
The light-hearted match followed the inaugural grand final of the Millicent Naracoorte Cricket Association played the previous day.
The oval playing surface was in tip-top condition thanks to the efforts of long-time honorary groundsman Peter Henderson.
The first such Bryce Pollard memorial match was played a year ago but Sue Pollard, mother of Bryce, said there were some changes for the 2022 game.
“We decided to make this year’s game a fundraiser for Pancare and the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation,” she said.
“The Somerset Hotel donated raffle prizes while the Wagyu burgers came from The Tasting Room at Mayura Station.
“We will support the foundation every year from now on.
“This is a bitter/sweet day for me and family.
“It was great to see some of Bryce’s mates here from Adelaide.”
Ms Pollard said there was a sad coincidence about the number 23.
“This was the number worn by test cricketer Shane Warne who has just died.
“Bryce wore this number at Mount Burr and so did his late father Rick Pollard.”
Before the T20 game, the Mount Burr Cricket Club handed out the trophies for the 2021/22 season.
Judged on the votes of opposition captains, the “Mick” and Jean Walker Memorial Trophy for senior cricketer was 15-year-old Kallan Bevan.
The winner of the junior trophy was Naga Wright.
Meanwhile, Mount Burr footballers in all four grades will again don purple socks in a mid-season game in memory of Bryce Pollard and as a fundraiser for the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.
Organiser and Mount Burr stalwart Adam Wiese said the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Play in Purple match last season raised over $1500 and would be repeated in 2022.
