Cats bats make Team of the Year
Finley Cricket Club might not have won a game all season but their year was sweetened with two players selected to the Murray Valley Cricket Association Team of the Year.
Club veteran Daniel Hibberd and English import Daniel McHugh were selected alongside 10 other players at the MVCA’s presentation evening last Wednesday.
McHugh finished sixth in the competition in runs scored with 443 and an average of 24.61, while Hibberd finished in seventh with 421 and an average of 26.31.
Hibberd — named as an opener in the Team of the Year — said he was shocked to be selected in the squad.
‘‘Dan and I thought we were invited to attend (the presentation might) because of our centuries we both scored, so it was unexpected.
‘‘On a personal level it’s been the best season I’ve ever had.
‘‘Dan (McHugh) has been brilliant for us. He fitted in very well throughout the season and bowled effectively when he needed to.’’
Hibberd was selected alongside Barooga star Riley Gow and said he was honoured to be named to open the batting with him.
‘‘Riley is an exceptional cricketer. I don’t know how long he’ll be around for but he could easily be playing in the stronger leagues in Melbourne,’’ he said.
Hibberd and McHugh both made headlines earlier in the year when they scored a inspirational 191 partnership against Cobram-Yarroweyah United.
On that day Hibberd scored 121 not out and McHugh 107, with the Cats denied a win with day two of the clash declared a ‘heat out’.
Despite the Cats not registering a win over the past two seasons, with their last win coming against CYU in January, 2016, Hibberd is confident of a brighter future.
‘‘It’s important we keep this group together because we have the right players,’’ he said.
‘‘I would expect us to win a handful of games next season.’’
McHugh is expected to return to the UK to attend university, while Hibberd will play on for the Cats in the 2018/19 season.
The MVCA Team of the Year is as followed:
Riley Gow (Barooga), Daniel Hibberd (Finley), Mitch Cleeland (Waaia), Luke Carter (captain, Nathalia), Brayden Carey (Waaia), Daniel McHugh (Finley), Andrew Hogan (Deni Rhinos), Shannon Pool (wk, Katamatite), Ash Quinn (Nathalia), Adam Decicco (Cobram), Shane Healey (Barooga), Anthony Bradley (Deni Rhinos).
The MVCA presentation night saw Deni Rhinos all-rounder Andrew Hogan claim his maiden Guthrie Medal.
The 27 year-old dominated the vote count early, polling 26 votes to finish in front of six-time best and fairest winner Luke Carter (Nathalia) on 21 votes and Riley Gow (Barooga) in third place on 17.
The 2018 best and fairest winner also claimed the MVCA Most Valuable Player award with 157.90 points.
Other award winners from Premier Division were as followed: Bowling Average - Ash Quinn 43 at 6.16; Batting average - Mitch Cleeland 576 at 52.36; Gemmill Medal (Melbourne Country Week MVP) - Adam Decicco; McGrath Medal (Bendigo CW MVP) - Liam Evans (Nathalia); Rising Star - Riley Gow.
Division One awards: Gemmill Medal (best and fairest) - Tim Hillier (Deni Rhinos) 14 votes, runners-up Zach Taylor-Nugent (Berrigan) and Priyankara Silva (Katunga) 13; MVP - Tim Hillier 99.80; Bowling Average - Robert Bradbury (Waaia) 22 at 5.73; Batting Average Tim Hillier 398 at 39.98.
Division Two awards: A & C Owen Trophy (best and fairest) - David Booth (Waaia) 12 votes, r/u Luke Keating (Jerilderie) and Gerard Warren (Nathalia) 10; MVP - David Booth 58.50; Batting Average - David Booth 325 at 54.17; Bowling Average - Michael Goodson (Cobram) 20 at 7.05.