Back to back for Homers’ Hopper
Simon Hopper has continued to cement himself as the dominating all-rounder in Horsham Cricket Association by winning back-to-back Cec Hopper Medals.
The Homers opening batsman and offspin bowler scored 669 runs, took 21 wickets and held eight catches in the home-and-away season to narrowly win the award.
Including the finals, Hopper overall made 850 runs at an average of 56 and captured 27-343 at 12.7.
He also won the A Grade batting aggregate award.
Hopper, in accepting his award and after hitting a century in Homers’ A Grade premiership win over Rupanyup-minyip, paid tribute to his club and spoke of the next generation of cricketers emerging from junior ranks. Laharum’s Ben Peucker won the batting average award with 115.5.
Hopper’s brother Chris won the association’s bowling average award, capturing 20 wickets in the home-and-away season at an average of eight and Horsham Tigers veteran David Puls won the bowling aggregate with 29.
Horsham association officials also announced B and C Grade and other award winners during the evening at Horsham City Oval clubrooms.
Officials inducted Mick Farrell, Glenn O’beirne, Nick Mcintyre and Howard Schier into a hall of fame and presented Tony Wills with a life-membership.
An Ellie Flack Memorial Award for service to cricket went to Dean Lawson.
Other awards –
A Grade: Man of the match, Matt Combe, Horsham Saints; best opposition player, Lachie Watts, Blackheath-dimboola, Matt Combe, Horsham Saints. B Grade: Alan Mcrae All-rounder Medal, Brad Sproule; batting average, Dean Arnott, Colts 70; bowling average, Liam Jakobi, Colts 9.35; man of the match, Brad Sproule, Horsham Saints. C Grade: Ivan Morrison All-rounder Medal, Tim Brand, Quantong; batting average, Tom Wentworth, Horsham Saints Black, Steve Mcqueen, Quantong; bowling average, Les Butler, Horsham Saints Red 10.9; man of the match, Barry Hopper, Homers.