The 2024-25 cricket season finished on a high last weekend with Horton Park hosting two Over 60 international fixtures between New Zealand and Australia while the local cricket scene celebrated its season with end of season awards. Australia were too strong for the New Zealand side winning a closely contested first match by 44 runs and dominating the 2nd match to win by 133 runs.
Griffin Carter and Stella Cornelius were named Marlborough Cricketers of the Year at the 2024-25 annual awards evening. Carter had a fine all round season with bat and ball finishing as the leading Senior grade batter with 431 runs and joint leading bowler with 24 wickets. Cornelius enjoyed a breakthrough season as the leading Women’s Senior rep bowler earning selection for Central Districts A and the CD U19 side as well as being named as a reserve for the NZ U19 team. Carley Englefield was the leading Women’s rep batter, Fenella Cooney took out the fielding award while Andrew McCaa was the leading Men’s rep batter and Jaden Adams the leading bowler.
Luke Holdaway was the boys U17 player of the year earning selection for the CD U17 side while Tyler O’Donnell took the award for the girls U17 player. Alice Brown was the girls U15 player of the year with Billy Hurren the boys equivalent. Dane Winstanley was awarded the umpires award for good sportsmanship and all-round contribution as a team player and Wairau took out the Rudd Shield club award for highest percentage of wins across Senior, 2nd and 3rd grades.
Melynda Bentley was awarded the Queen Carnival Cup for her contribution to Women and Girls cricket. In addition to being the main force behind cricket at MGC Melynda carries out the role of Manager to the PaknSave Marlborough Women’s Rep side and this year also took on the running of the Renwick Royals girls 4th Grade side.
Joseph Gilhooly was awarded the Eric Shattock memorial trophy as junior cricketer of the year following a strong tournament and season with bat and ball while Beau Clouston was awarded the Gleeson Family shield girls award after a similarly strong season. Ollie Gaudin was awarded the Ewan Stephenson trophy as best non-rep player, Noah Hagen the Morton Cup for all round sportsmanship and Katie Templeman the female sportsperson award. Fair play team awards went to the Renwick Ravens Girls grade team, the Wairau Valley Rams for 5th grade and Celtic for 4th grade.
Although the club season has come to a close you can still sign up for our junior cricket holiday programme running on 14th to 17th April. Email james@marlboroughcricket.co.nz to register or for more information.
Thanks once again to all the wonderful coaches and parents for your support this season and we look forward to seeing you all out there again next summer!