More accolades rolled in for Great Boulder captain Bevan Bennell when his impressive A-grade campaign in the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association last week earned him a fourth Jerrard Medal.
Bennell grabbed the Two Blues’ premier award following a consistent season when he compiled 512 runs at 42.67.
He was ranked second among all batters in the EGCA, behind only Hannans’ Graham Kennedy (585 runs at 48.75).
Bennell’s campaign was underpinned by a brilliant 100 off 101 balls against Hannans in round five that secured his place among the club’s immortals.
It was his club-record sixth ton since joining Great Boulder four years earlier.
Most telling was that it was chalked up in just his 47th match for the Two Blues — eclipsing Todd Altus’ previous benchmark of five centuries across 367 A-grade matches.
The right-hander last month compiled 50 off 79 balls in a losing grand final effort against North Kalgoorlie, but it was while representing the EGCA at the annual country week series in Perth that he really shone.
In five innings at the carnival, Bennell — who captained the EGCA to their last Boan Cup success in 2020 — compiled scores of 145, 107, 14, 114 and 37.
EGCA narrowly lost the 2024 A-section final against Albany, but Bennell led all batters with 417 runs at an average of 139.
Bennell originally lined up in the EGCA seven years ago for North Kalgoorlie and quickly made his mark with scores of 123 and 130 in consecutive matches.
But a change of scenery in 2019-20 was pivotal when Great Boulder ended a 15-year A-grade flag drought the following summer with Bennell leading the way as skipper.
He was the first Indigenous player to captain the Two Blues and score a century.
Also last week, Daniel Colling led the A-grade bowing with 20 wickets at 15.55 and two great servants of the club, Kody Kelman and Wayne Goldsworthy, were honoured with life memberships.
Jimmy Singh won the Emerson Medal as the leading B-grade player for a third time with Branden Pyke (207 runs at 34.5) the top batter.
Nathan Weir’s 30 wickets at 9.47 earned him the bowling award.
Award winners:
A-grade:
Jerrard Medal: Bevan Bennell.
Batting: Bevan Bennell (512 runs at 42.67).
Bowling: Daniel Colling (20 wickets at 15.55).
B-grade:
Emerson Medal: Jimmy Singh.
Batting: Branden Pyke (207 runs at 34.5).
Bowling: Nathan Weir (30 wickets at 9.47).
Lou Nazzari Rookie Award: Kalahni Vlasich.
Coaches Award: Daniel Leach.
Best Clubman: Mitch Gray.
Life membership: Kody Kelman, Wayne Goldsworthy.