15/04/2026
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We had our Senior Presentation Dinner last Friday evening at the Mt Barker Polo Clubrooms, well attended by current players & members. We were also honoured to have the following Life Members in attendance - Ken Nettle, Robin "Pud" Crompton, Damien Nettle, Derrick Smith, Michael Paech, Dave Kinlough & Jordan Baltman.
The C Grade Trophy Winners were:-
โข Mitch Richards โ Batting Aggregate โ 245 runs
โข Theo Kathigitis-Wood โ Batting Average โ 61.00
โข Muffin-Man Hennessy โ Bowling Agg & Ave โ 24 wickets @ 9.92
โข Riley Lucas โ Best Fielder โ 9 votes
โข Max Chapman - Most Dismissals โ 5 catches
The B Grade Trophy Winners were:-
โข Wayne Cummins โ Batting Agg & Ave โ 511 runs @ 42.58
โข Clinton Smith โ Bowling Aggregate โ 26 wickets
โข Craig Bell โ Bowling Average โ 17.55
โข Oscar Chapman โ Best Fielder โ 8 votes
โข Oscar Chapman & Cameron Roach - Most Dismissals โ 8 catches/7 catches, 1 run out
The A Grade Trophy Winners were:-
โข Cooper Kupke โ Batting Agg & Ave โ 313 runs @ 26.08
โข Connor Burgess โ Bowling Aggregate โ 30 wickets
โข Joshua Fidler โ Bowling Average โ 16.50
โข Connor Burgess โ Best Fielder โ 10 votes
โข Connor Burgess - Most Dismissals โ 10 catches, 2 run outs
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With two (2) seniors T20 sides this season, there was plenty of competition for our best T20 player but we couldn't look past the all-round contributions of Connor Burgess, with 141 runs @ 35.25 (inc. a 67) & 5 wickets @ 14.20. Well done Con!
Honourable mentions were Harrison Burgess (8 wickets @ 12.13, 1 catch), Cooper Kupke (62 runs @ 62, 6 wkts @ 12.33, 1 catch) & Matthew Cummins (54 runs @ 54, 6 wkts @ 11.17, 2 catches & a run out in Div 2).
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Our Best Young Cricketer this season was our U16's Captain, Theo Kathigitis-Wood. Theo became a regular in seniors cricket last season at only 14 years of age, opening the batting for the C's but averaging just 5 & only reaching double figures twice.
Having worked out what was required, he clearly spent most of the winter in the nets because this season, he burst out of the gates with scores of 81* & 91 opening in the C's before soon being promoted to B's, where he continued opening for the rest of the season. He made 50 on debut, with other notable contributions of 40*, 44, 29 & 38* across the rest of the season. Theo remarkably finished as the 3rd leading runscorer in the C's & the 4th in the B's.
All up, this season in seniors cricket Theo scored 431 runs @ 35.92 to finish as our 2nd leading runscorer in seniors cricket. Well done Theo!
Honourable mentions include Connor (who is still only 18 but won this award each of the last three (3) seasons, and Jaxon Lynn (219 runs @ 18.25, 3 wickets, 3 catches & a run out in A's).
๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐ฒ
The prestigious Blight Perpetual Trophy (for club person of the year) went to Jordan Grooby this season.
Groobs does a mountain of work behind the scenes, acting not only as our Junior Cricket Co-ordinator but also running our Cricket Blast Program, coaching one of our U10's sides & also assisting with the coaching of our U12's. Amazing work mate!
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Our final trophy this season was our Club Champion Award. Honourable mentions went to Hayden Biddle & Wayne Cummins from the B's & Muffin-Man Hennessy from the C's, with the podium occupied by a trio of A Graders. Finishing 3rd with 99.19 points was Joshua Fidler, whilst runner up was Cooper Kupke with 102.44 points.
However, for the 3rd year running, our 2025/26 Club Champion was Connor Burgess with 117.91 points. Amazing work Connor!
Finally, a special thanks especially to Ryan Watt, Anita Burgess, Matthew Cummins & Harrison Burgess for their efforts in the kitchen & behind the bar.
Go Echidnas!
