mmg.com.au

The Murray Valley Cricket Association awards night saw the stars of the local cricket scene recognised in the presence of 140 players and guests last week.

Luke Carter from Strathmerton was the toast of the evening, winning the 2012-13 Guthrie Medal by one vote, edging out last year’s winner Ashley Quinn of Nathalia.

A real highlight for Carter this season came when he made an impressive 205 runs against Cobram Yarroweyah United.

‘‘This is the fourth Guthrie Medal for Carter, which is a fantastic achievement,’’ MVCA secretary Anthony Holmes said.

Carter also took out the Best Batting Average Award scoring 808 runs at 89.78 for the year as well as the Champion Player Award with 165.80 points.

Matthew Jaensch of Barooga Cricket Club took out the bowling average in the Premier grade with 34 wickets at 7.88. Shaun Downie from Cobram was awarded both the Gemmill Medal for the best player at Melbourne Country Week and the McGrath Medal for the best player for his stellar performance at Bendigo Country Week earlier in the season.

Kieran Andrew from Cobram Yarroweyah United took out the Rising Star award for the 2012-13 season, beating other frontrunners Liam Evans (Nathalia), Harry King (CYU), Jack Yelland (Berrigan) and Logan Morey (Barooga).

Nathalia took out the Champion Club for the season with 275 points, followed at a distance by Waaia with 205 points with Cobram third on 167 points.

Junior and lower grade awards

Division one: Gemmill Trophy for Best and Fairest Justin Peace (Cobram); Batting Average Matt Sobey (Nathalia) 330 runs at 110; Bowling Average Jordan Cleeland (Waaia) 27 wickets at 8.96; Champion Player Connor Brown (Waaia) 63.70 points.

Division two: A&C Owen Trophy for Best and Fairest James Wilson (Waaia); Batting Average David Morgan (Nathalia) 424 runs at 84.80; Bowling Average Jason Bell (Nathalia) 20 wickets at 8.50; Champion Player Scott McKenzie (Nathalia) 85.00 points.

Under-16s: Best and Fairest Bowen Smith (Nathalia); Batting Average Bowen Smith (Nathalia) 427 runs at 213.50; Bowling Average Jonathon Oliver (Finley) 16 wickets at 5.38; Champion Player Bowen Smith (Nathalia) 81.70 points.

Under-14s: Best and Fairest Connor Thornton (Berrigan); Batting Average Bailey Bell (Nathalia) 213 runs at 106.50; Bowling Average Kyle McQualter (Berrigan) 15 wickets at 1.47; Champion Player Jesse Trower (Waaia) 49.20 points.

Other awards: Mick Cleary Under-17s Trophy Tom Pendlebury (Katamatite); Greg Morgan Under-15s Trophy Brayden Coburn (Strathmerton); Under-16s Country Week Trophy – Mitchell Cleeland (Waaia).