Though the finals were cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Goulburn District Cricket Association still released its list of the standout achievers in second grade this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Second Grade
Premiers: Gordon Goats
Though the Goats finished second on the ladder, they managed to defeat the first-placed Goulburn Soldiers Warriors in the semi-final before the season was called off.
This meant they were the higher-ranked out of the two remaining teams and, after a strong season which saw them claim nine wins against only three losses, the Goats were deserving winners.
Runners-up: Bowlo Rats
The Rats finished third on the ladder and were scheduled to take on the Warriors in last weekend's preliminary final before the season was cancelled.
Because they had won their only finals match, against the Hibo Colts the week prior, and the Warriors lost theirs, the Rats were named runners-up despite finishing lower on the ladder.
Batting Aggregate: Craig Fahey
Fahey had a stellar season for the Goulburn Workers Stags, with 511 runs in second grade.
Generally batting in the top four, Fahey scored quickly and often gave the Stags the momentum they needed to accrue a total beyond their opponents' reach.
Though the Workers narrowly missed out on a finals spot, Fahey was definitely a bright spot for them in 2019/20.
Batting Average: Isaac Walker
Normally, the winner of the batting aggregate award takes home the average award as well. But Isaac Walker's remarkable year saw him average 77.2 in second grade, four runs clear of Fahey.
Walker, despite scoring nearly 150 runs less than the aggregate winner, was incredibly difficult to dislodge when set, and his average was boosted greatly by two unbeaten hundreds in rounds six and nine.
His form was critical to the fortunes of the Rats, and had he been able to play more often, they might have finished even higher.
Bowling Aggregate: Matt Brown
With 31 wickets from 14 games, Matt Brown's remarkable wicket-taking consistency was a huge factor in the Goats' eventual title.
He started 2019/20 with a bang, taking 11 wickets from three matches, and continued to open the bowling with great impact throughout the season.
The highlight of the season for Brown came in round 10 against Crookwell, where he claimed startling figures of 5-0 and guided the Goats to a thumping win.
Bowling Average: Jimmy Gill
Gill only played eight matches throughout the season but had a big impact in each, and took 19 wickets at the startling average of 7.7.
He was a critical cog in the Warriors' bowling lineup and took the new ball with great skill and accuracy each time he played.
Included in Gill's haul of 19 wickets were two five-fors, which cost less than 25 runs combined.
Champion Player: Patrick Craig
Though Craig did not strike as often as Brown or as cheaply as Gill, he was a remarkably consistent bowler for the Hibo Colts and finished the season with 25 wickets at 9.1.
As a teenager, the youngster has plenty of time to improve and showed promise with the bat as well, chipping in with handy scores towards the end of the season.
His contributions were critical in the Colts' run to the semi-finals.
While you're with us...
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up here.
