Bowral Blues Cricket Club tied off the 2018/19 season at its presentation evening at the Scottish Arms Hotel on Saturday, honouring multiple members for their achievements.
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In traditional Blues style, the evening included a mix of serious and mock awards to keep the atmosphere alive.
The clubs Stage 3 / U16 squad was the toast of the evening, presented with baggy blue caps by former international player and club junior mentor Barry Knight.
Photos: Sporting gallery: May 25-26
It's the second season in a row the Bowral Blues Stage 3 juniors have taken the grand final. The baggy cap winners are Eliza Heineckie, Ollie Hunt, Harry Mattick, Jack McCallum, Finn O'Connor, Sam Smith, Hilary Swan, Alister Whatman, Charles Whatman, Hayden Willebrand and Troy Willis.
The team coaches Craig Willebrand, Nigel Elton and Brett McAulay were also presented with baggy caps for their outstanding leadership and mentoring.
The teams - and the Highlands District's - top batter was Hayden Willebrand, who smashed 564 runs. Eliza Heineckie was the best Stage 3 bowler, taking 11 wickets at an average of 11.82, while Troy Willis was the top fielder. Henry Whatman received the coaches award.
The Club's prestigious Junior Cricketer of the Year award was presented to 17-year-old James Morton, a Highlands cricket representative stalwart who had a stellar season with the bat and keeping gloves.
James was one of five Blues juniors selected to play in the NSW U18 Country Cricket Colts Carnival in Narrabri last December.
In the clubs 2 nd grade seniors' division, Captain Craig Rheynolds took the top batting gong with 330 runs at an average of 30. Paceman Brett McAulay was the best bowler, taking 27 wickets at an average of 12.37. Brett also picked up the 2nds Players' Player award.
Ben Dunn was the 2nds top fielder.
There were more accolades across the clubs two 3 rd grade teams, the Bucks and the Stags.
The Stags' Andrew Langdon was the star batter, clocking 529 runs at an average of 62.13. Andrew was also named Stags Players' Player. David Binns was the team's best bowler, taking 9 wickets.
Pat Molloy was the best fielder. Fourteen-year old Judah Wright was named the Bucks Players' Player for his batting and wicket keeping performances, including hitting 262 runs at an average of 29.11. Fifteen-year-old Liam Bayliss was the top bowler, with 15 wickets at an average of 14.73. Marcus Wright was the Bucks best fielder.
The Bucks - a team made up of teens and their fathers - were applauded for the remarkable feat of making the 3 rd grade finals. The Blues 2nds squad was also recognised for making the finals.
Special mention was made of successes enjoyed by female juniors at the club, including Eliza Heineckie, Hilary Swan and Annalee Watson who have all made state representative breakthroughs and are participating in this winter's female Cricket NSW Zone Academy training sessions.
Barry Knight said the Blues long-term philosophy of supporting juniors and giving juniors a fair go was at the core of the club's success.
