Paul traps top award

By Ian Ferguson
PAUL Cornelius opened the bowling for the Clyde Agrade team during the late 1980s and has just completed his third season with KilcundaBass since returning to the West Gippsland Cricket Association.
On Sunday the lean 38yearold allrounder enjoyed the highlight of his fine country cricket career when he was awarded the Eric Winter Medal after being named the player of the game in the Bgrade grand final.
Formidable bowling figures of 5/45 from 16.4 overs, a brilliant catch, runout and a vital innings of 26 notout late on Saturday, sealed the coveted award for Paul.
His fine effort was also instrumental in KilcundaBass snaring its first WGCA premiership after a decade in the competition.
Cornelius, who now lives with his wife and family at Cape Patterson, played with a Wonthaggi club after leaving the Cougar colony at Clyde and is optimistic about KilcundaBass’ future when the club joins Agrade ranks next season.
He believes that the Sharks’ promising juniors will come to the fore and that the club will also attract players from nearby towns now that KilcundaBass has become an Agrade side.
Paul appears to be a necessary qualification for membership at KilcundaBass, as five members of the Bgrade premiership team carry that name, as well as Paul Golby the Shark’s hardworking president.
Paul Palmer is another member of the ‘Paul brotherhood’, but would still be highly valued by KilcundaBass, even if he decided to alter his name, as the efficient runmaker has provided the batting class the team needed to vie for Bgrade premiership honours.
Palmer, who lives at nearby Grantville, has now completed his first season with the Sharks after enjoying longterm success with North Dandenong in the Dandenong and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
Teammates and many opponents rated him as the best batsman in Bgrade this season and scores of 188 in a homeandaway game against Cranbourne Meadows, combined with excellent hands of 57 and 43 in the finals, support this glowing assessment.
Paul Palmer revels in not having to commute to Dandenong now for practice and games and KilcundaBass will greatly value the commitment, talent and experience that he will provide for the new 200708 Agrade team.