Workhorses of 2009/10

It's been eight years since Darren Elliott cracked the 200 overs-in-a-season barrier; a mammoth threshold it is and only fitting that the man hanging up his boots this year would be the first to give it a real shake. Peter Cleaves will be remembered as one of the great Butcher Workhorses and as you cast an eye to the table below the numbers paint quite a picture. It's a story that says the bloke gave every ounce of himself and left absolutely nothing in the tank.

The man bowled 192 overs (that's 1,152 deliveries); more than thirty overs clear of the up-and-coming Jed Austin. In fact, Cleaves was entrusted with the pill on so many occasions that it isn't surprising 3rd Grade had their best season in more than a decade. Leading the most fearsome pace attack for many years "Sneaky Pete" was one of three 3rd Grade pacemen who broke the 30-wicket mark. A 3rd Grade side who took the One Day Title. And Two Day Premiers. One game short of a perfect winning season.

Pleasing to the eye is the fact the next four in the table are all still young, each yet to reach twenty years of age and promising huge futures with the Butchers.

Jed Austin had a second successive huge year - cracking thirty wickets and 150 overs once again. He has not set a foot wrong and continues to impress all with his genuine fast bowlers attitude.

Jamal Banfield had a brilliant year and was a shining light in an otherwise ordinary season for 1st Grade. Taking four (yes 4) awards with him at the Annual Presentation we all anxiously await his bowling restrictions to be lifted next year. 

Jason Wilson will probably be remembered most for that hat-trick he took in the 2-Day Final against University. In truth he did so much more; he was the only player to bag multiple 5-for's this season and was the club's leading spinner by some margin.

Finally, Eric Denhartog is another who will look to tear free of the bowling restrictions in coming years. In his call-up to 1st Grade this year he responded with a destructive spell that tore apart a strong Balgownie lineup; eventually responsible for an unexpected victory that knocked Balgownie out of finals contention.

See the rest of the workhorse figures here.

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