IT may have taken them 14 rounds, however three players opened their Cricketer of the Year voting in the best possible way last weekend.
Central Tigers top order batsman Brendan Gale, Ex-Services Bushrangers allrounder Daniel Krogh and Big O Blues youngster Ryan Connell were all adjudicated to be the best-on-ground in their respective matches.
Gale finished unbeaten on 53 as the Tigers chased down the 86 set for victory by Wallendbeen for the loss of just one wicket and will prove to be a key player for Tigers in the run into the finals.
Krogh ripped through the Big O Burglars batting card, taking 6-6 off eight overs as the Bushrangers were able to defend their small total of 75 and record a 30-run victory.
Connell collected what could be the first of many career votes as the Blues thumped Ex-Services Young Guns by 118 runs.
In a match in which a number of players starred, Connell’s 3-23 was deemed the best as he was unlucky not to finish with more wickets next to his name.
Two other players also opened the accounts on the weekend, with Bushrangers Liam Welch taking the two votes for his game high 32 against the Burglars, with Peter Guthrie collecting the final point from that match for his 3-32.
By stark contrast the only player among the COY leaders to add to his tally was Blues teenager Matt Berkrey who moved into a share of the lead after collecting the two votes for his 43 in the Blues total of 7-222, just shading teammate Darren Connell (45 not out).
Berkrey now joins Big O club mate Scott Roberts (Burglars) on the top line of voting with 13, one ahead of another Big O player Scott Meale.
Meanwhile all three vote getters in the final match contributed with both bat and ball as Harden held out Stock by seven runs.
In a difficult decision for the judges Josh Logue was the top pick for his 42 and 1-12, followed by Stock’s Jeremy Annetts with 58 and 1-29, while Logue’s teammate Tom Darmody grabbed the last vote for his 38 and 1-42.
As a result Annetts has moved to eight votes and just five off the lead.
With three rounds remaining prior to the semi finals voting will go behind closed doors, however with a maximum of nine votes available for all players there are at least 30 who can consider themselves in contention.
In all 70 players have collected votes to date, with the Bushrangers having a full team of 11 on the list,
followed by Central Tigers and Harden with 10 each.
Weekend points
Central Tigers v Wallendbeen
3 - Brendan Gale (Cent) 53 not out
2 - Mick Cronin (Cent) 33 not out
1 - Jason Gillies (Wbeen) 39
Big O Blues v Ex-Services Young Guns
3 - Ryan Connell (Blues) 3-23
2 - Matt Berkrey (Blues 42
1 - Darren Connell (Blues) 45 not out
Ex-Services Bushrangers v Big O Burglars
3 - Daniel Krogh (Bush) 6-6
2 - Liam Welch (Bush) 32
1 - Peter Guthrie (Blues) 3-32
Harden v Stockinbingal
3 - Josh Logue (Hard) 42 and 1-12
2 - Jeremy Annetts (Stock) 58 and 1-29
1 - Tom Darmody (Hard) 38 and 1-42.
Leaders
13 - Scott Roberts (Burglars), Matt Berkrey (Blues)
12 - Scott Meale (Blues)
11 - Shane O’Brien (Wbeen)
10 - Matt Schofield (Harden), Brendan O’Callaghan (Stock), Sam Annetts (Stock)
9 - Nathan Corby (Stock)
8 - Nathan Schofield (Harden), Jeremy Annetts (Stock)
7 - Dean Bradley (Blues), Adam Twyford (Central), John Stephens (Central), Justin Hampton (Wbeen), Mick Cronin (Central)
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