CRICKET
CGCA
Mirboo North stalwart Rob Phoenix has been named the Central Gippsland Cricket Association’s best first grade player for the fourth time after he took home the Byrne/James Medal at last week’s 2017/18 vote count.
Phoenix’s stellar season was made up of 581 runs at an average 52.82 to take his career total past the 7000-run mark.
The prolific scorer’s best knock for the season came in round one against Latrobe which was also at his mercy in round six when he took six wickets.
Phoenix put in his best bowling performance in last weekend’s grand final loss to Morwell when he did the bulk of the heavy lifting and bagged six.
He made four half centuries throughout the year and after making 47 not out against Morwell in round three he was bumped up the order and opened the batting.
Phoenix, who has played in 11 premierships and captained seven, was humbled by his fourth best and fairest win.
“It means a fair bit. I’ve been at the club for a fair bit and played a few years,” he said.
Phoenix was also a walk-up start for the CGCA 2017/18 team of the year and was named in the side alongside teammate and all-rounder Will Cheatley.
Premier Morwell had five representatives named in the team of the year including Mark Cukier, Rob Webber, Blake Mills, Lewis Harper and Jordan Campbell.
Moe’s Andrew Philip and Jayden Mathison also earned caps along with Jeeralang-Boolarra’s Mark Rawson and Matt McGrath while Latrobe’s Tyrone Gamage rounded out the 2017/18 team of the year.
