Seymour District Cricket Association announces award winners for season 2023-24

The body also recognised the region’s brightest standouts from January’s Junior Country Week.

One indomitable force stood above all for the second year running as Eastern Hill dynamo Ben Bryant won his second consecutive Frank Zanelli medal as the A-grade competition’s most valuable player.

Bryant top-scored in Eastern Hill’s three-wicket grand final defeat to Tallarook, but his nine overs at just 1.55 were standout bowling figures in typical fashion.

Bryant mashed a string of half-centuries and triple-figure tallies heading into finals, with a standout performance against Tallarook in the regular season’s latter stages where he hit 65 and took 3-16.

As such, the association duly recognised Bryant as the A-grade all-rounder champion, with Eastern Hill teammate Fraser Lewis taking the bowling title and Tallarook premiership player Josh Rudge claiming batting honours.

Association president Ben Trezise lauded the efforts of winners across each division.

“We’ve had a cracking year of cricket in the SDCA with great individual performances and plenty of upsets across the season,” Trezise said.

“It’s worth pointing out another great season from Ben Bryant, who has now claimed back-to-back Frank Zanelli medals in the A-grade.

“Eastern Hill had a sensational year across all grades and is well represented in the senior awards, with Fraser Lewis and Michael Brown also taking away trophies.

“A special congratulations to Oakleigh Kanters from Avenel, who has been recognised as our leading junior cricketer.

“Finn Melville from Tallarook and Eastern Hill’s Rory Kennedy have been celebrated for their superb Junior Country Week tournaments at the under-13 and under-15 levels, respectively.

“Congratulations once again to all individuals for their outstanding achievements.”