By David Nagel
Pakenham champion Chris Smith has stamped himself as one of the great players in the modern era of WGCA cricket after claiming his second Terry Stephenson Medal on Sunday at the Cardinia Park Hotel.
Smith polled 17 votes to win by two from Kooweerup skipper Chris Bright, with Demons’ all-rounder Luke McMaster and Carlisle Park-gun Ravi Kodithuwakku polling 12 votes to finish in equal third.
Tooradin opener, and premiership skipper, Cal O’Hare, rounded out the top five on 11 votes.
Smith added a second Stephenson Medal to the one he secured in 2015/16 – after a magnificent season where he compiled 515 runs at an average of 57.22 from just 11 games.
Round one of the 14-game season was a wash-out; while the elegant right-hand opener also missed a further two games, in rounds four and 11, both against Kooweerup.
Smith polled in seven of the 11 games he played, compiling four three vote performances, two twos, and a single vote effort in round 13.
Medal winners on the night were as follows:
Premier
Chris Smith
Pakenham
17 Votes
District
Lucas Ligt
Devon Meadows
12 Votes
A Grade
Trevor Bauer
Clyde
16 Votes
B Grade
Shem Smith
Clyde
17 Votes
C Grade
Brenton Huyskens
Merinda Park
16 Votes
D Grade
Kane Latham
Tooradin
16 Votes
E Grade
Shane Jack
Clyde
Skeeta Vangeninden
Officer 12 Votes
F Grade
Mark McDonald
Pak. Upper Toomuc
19 Votes
For a full wrap of all winners on the night, including batting and bowling aggregates and averages, grab a copy of this week’s Pakenham Gazette.
