The Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) held its annual Cricket Awards evening at the Ski-Boat Club in Port Alfred recently. Attending the event were players, administrators, guests and umpires.
The Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) held its annual Cricket Awards evening at the Ski-Boat Club in Port Alfred recently. Attending the event were players, administrators, guests and umpires.
Among them was Simon Harmer (Warriors spinner, SA "A" player) who also delivered the keynote address on the evening.
Bernard Harrison (EP Umpires Association), Andre Du Plessis (President EP Umpires Association), Zwelinzima Nkwinti (Manager Department of Sport in Cacadu), GCB Executive Members, Justin Stirk (President of the Pineapple Tournament) and members of GCB Umpires Association also attended.
Andrew Marshall (GCB Vice President/EP Rural Manager) gave a report back on the Eastern Province side's performance during the past season.
He congratulated the entire squad for their commitment as they finished sixth at the national tournament in Kimberley.
"The guys did pretty well during the past season, the youngsters proved themselves,” said Marshall.
Marshall congratulated EP team captain Kevin Bennet who finished as the leading run scorer in the composite log (round robin) until the National week. Bennet made the SA Rural side for the second time.
“We say farewell to two stalwarts, veteran Chesley Daniels who retired from this provincial team after 18 years and the coach Gareth Von Hoeslin who relocated to Cape Town." said Marshall.
Leon Coetzee (President of GCB/President of CSA Rural) welcomed all present and congratulated Bennet for making the SA Rural side and Andrew Marshall for his selection as the SA Rural Manager.
In his speech Simon Harmer said: "Lots of players in the GCB play for entertainment and enjoyment and it’s a very good thing. Most of the great U19 players I have played with have lost interest in the game, due to pressure from parents”.
“There is a time in your life that you have to work hard and a time for enjoyment,” Harmer said.
Full list of awards from the GCB awards evening:
- Highest Score 1st League – Richard Muir (115 runs)
- Highest Score 2nd League – Anton Emslie (181)
- Highest Batting Aggregate 1st League – Richard Muir (300 runs)
- Highest Batting Aggregate 2nd League – Anton Emslie (351)
- Highest Batting Average 1st League – Chris Fredericks (53.0)
- Highest Batting Average 2nd League – Anton Emslie (43.88)
- Most Wickets Fast Bowler 1st League – Andrew Marshall (13)
- Most Wickets Fast Bowler 2nd League – Jacques De Klerk (35)
- Most Wickets Slow Bowler 1st League – Steven Gornal (13)
- Most Wickets Slow Bowler 2nd League – Justin Stirk (33)
- Best Bowling Average 1st League – Dylan Kruger (9.09)
- Best Bowling Average 2nd League – Sipho Saki (4.06)
- Best All-rounder 1st League – Richard Muir (300runs/8wickets) & Steven Gornall (191R/13wkts)
- Best All-rounder 2nd League – Morne Van Wyk (145R/23wkts)
- Most Dismissals Wicketkeeper 1st League – Brent Emslie (17)
- Most Dismissals Wicketkeeper 2nd League – Grant Barrow (8)
- Presidents Award for Service in Cricket – Dennis Stuurman and Spencer Hill
- Rural Player of the Year – Kevin Bennet
- Winners 2nd League – Sidbury
- Winners Central Albany 1st League – Sidbury/St Andrews
- Winners Bathurst 1st League – Kingswood College
- Winners 20/20 – Cuylerville
- Winners 1st League – Manleys/Southwell
