News
Bilchuris claims fifth player of the year
Sun, 3 May 2009QUINNS Rocks all-rounder Chris Bilchuris has won his fifth cricketer of the year award.
Life-member John Stewart presented Bilchuris with the competition’s major individual award, at the North Suburban Community Cricket Association (NSCCA) end of season presentation dinner last night.
A healthy gathering of NSCCA players and their partners, sponsors, officials, life-members, and other supporters turned out at the Wanneroo Sports & Social Club, to celebrate the major team and individual trophy winners for the 2008-09 season. The special guests included NSCCA Patron and Mayor of Joondalup Troy Pickard, and major sponsors, Craig Mackellar of Paragon Corporate Training, Tom and Bridget Pivac of Kookaburra and Damien and Joanne Slattery, of Sport First Clarkson.
Bilchuris capped off another stellar season by also winning the A Grade bowling aggregate, after claiming 36 wickets at an average of 11.83, with his right arm leg-spin. The right-hand opening batsman also scored 387 runs at a season average of 24.19. He finished with 907 points overall, comfortably clear of fellow all-rounders Shane Paap of Sorrento Duncraig and Gordon Cameron of Wanneroo.
Bilchuris declared it wasn’t his best season with the bat, but admitted the title was probably won due to his comprehensive return to form with the ball. In congratulating the other trophy winners on the night, he promised Quinns Rocks would bounce back next season aiming to be more consistent with the bat, after losing its semi-final by 24 runs to eventual premiers Sorrento Duncraig.
Bilchuris rated his innings of 92 against the Vikings powerful bowling line-up at Robin Reserve in round five, as one of his best innings, in ten years playing with Quinns Rocks in the NSCCA/Wanneroo Cricket Association.
Bilchuris also won the cricketer of the year in the 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons. The win moved him into second place overall on the cricketer of the year honour roll, moving ahead of legendary Wanneroo all-rounder Alan Barker (four times winner), and one behind Balga and North Dianella all-rounder Brian Houlson (six times winner). Coincidentally, all three players were right-hand batsmen who bowled right-arm leg-spin, using good flight, with an extremely well disguised wrong-un.
Other highlights of the NSCCA 2008-09 awards night included; Sorrento Duncraig’s victory in the club champion award; Wanneroo’s win in the spirit of cricket award; and Paragon Corporate Training declaring they will continue as major sponsors in 2009-10.
Paragon managing director Craig Mackellar told guests he was happy to re-commit after being moved by an incident he witnessed during a special game that he attended this season.
“I was moved by what I saw in the last Paragon Cup Grand Final game when young Michael from the Lansdale team, who has cerebral palsy, removed himself from his wheelchair and took up his position at first slip then mid on. I have also met some great people in going to the games during the year but what I saw that day and the spirit of the players really did it for me. It made Paragon’s whole sponsorship of the NSCCA worthwhile, to be involved with and supporting people of that caliber. It was an experience which transcended cricket and a lesson in humility and courage. I am happy to be your sponsor again for next season.”
The Sorrento Duncraig Vikings also scooped the pool in the team and individual awards, winning the A Grade and B Grade premierships, and taking out the A Grade batting aggregate (Jamie Sajich – 416 runs), batting average (Justin Sajich - 48.33), and bowling average (Shane Paap - 8.72). The club was also well represented on the night, with a large supporter base turning out to continue the premiership celebrations.
The association also distributed a 2008-09 year-book on the night, which will be available for download off the NSCCA web site, for those who couldn’t make it to the awards dinner.
