Mount Gambier and District cricket’s Bill Whitty medallists confirmed in last round of count

Richard Crute, George Kidman Whitty Medalistsdsc 8742  TBW Newsgroup
DOUBLE SUCCESS: West Gambier's Richard Crute and Penola's George Kidman were crowned as the 2019-20 Bill Whitty Medallists at the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association presentations. Pictures: THOMAS MILES

Richard Crute, George Kidman Whitty Medalistsdsc 8742 TBW Newsgroup
DOUBLE SUCCESS: West Gambier’s Richard Crute and Penola’s George Kidman were crowned as the 2019-20 Bill Whitty Medallists at the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association presentations. Pictures: THOMAS MILES

THE closest Barber Shield season in recent memory was just as tight off the field, as Penola’s George Kidman and West Gambier’s Richard Crute were voted joint Bill Whitty Medallists at the 2019-20 Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association presentations on Wednesday night.

Limestone Coast cricket’s night of nights did not disappoint, as a thrilling medal count unfolded.

Heading into the final round of voting eight players remained in the race, but in the end Kidman claimed a fifth crown alongside Crute, who secured his maiden Bill Whitty Medal.

The pair’s 10-vote hauls narrowly edged out East Gambier duo Dion Stratford and Alex Hentschke on nine, while Sam Willis and Jake Schutz followed closely with eight each.

Kidman said he was shocked to claim his fifth award and join exclusive company.

“It’s surreal actually,” he said.

“I remember coming runner-up to Michael Silvy twice, who I really looked up to as a player and he won the medal five times, so it is funny how things have worked out.”

Crute expressed similar emotions after putting the Bill Whitty Medal around his neck for the first time.

“It is a huge honour,” he said.

“I am quite surprised to win it to be honest.

“It was a huge thrill and surprise.”

The pair’s success was the result of consistent all-round campaigns throughout the season.

In his first summer leading the team, Crute was his usual self with the ball taking 16 wickets.

But it was his batting numbers which turned heads after he scored 313 runs, headlined by an impressive 141.

Kidman made a similar impact in both disciplines of the game.

The off-spinner took 16 dismissals, while he was a regular contributor batting in the middle order with 168 runs.

Despite his strong form, Kidman said this season could be his last on the field.

“I am pretty sure I have got a lot of involvement in cricket still to come, but just not as a player,” he said.

Crute and Kidman are joined by David Somerfield, Dion Stratford, Jake Schutz, Kieran Ashby, Sam Willis, Josh Thompson, Ben Clark, Robert Drenthen and Aiden Thatcher in the team of the year, which is led by Alex Hentschke.

The tall fast bowler from East Gambier claimed the bowling award with 27 wickets, while joint-runner-up Willis was named as the best Under 20 player.

A total of 346 runs saw South Gambier’s Somerfield secure the A Grade batting honours.

North Sportsman’s Thatcher won the fielding award and Thompson claimed the wicket-keeping award after his clean work with the gloves for the Demons.

East Gambier father-son duo Zig and Simon Golebiowski were recognised for their respective 1971-72 and 2004-05 player of the year awards with retrospective Whitty Medals.

In the twenty20 competition, Drenthen was the highest run-scorer with 113 runs and his feats saw him named as the Big Bash player, while East Gambier’s Kevin Thompson took out the bowling award with seven wickets.