MERRIVALE’S Bill Fary and Woodford’s Anthony Jackson shared Warrnambool and District Cricket Association’s division two cricketer of the year spoils but only one of the veterans will be smiling on Sunday.
The Tigers and Eels will meet in the division two grand final.
Fary and Jackson, while honoured to share the top award, both have their sights set on the decider.
“Grand finals are always close,” Fary said.
Jackson, the Eels’ skipper, said it was a big challenge for his young side.
“They are a good side,” he said.
“When we played them earlier on in the year they flogged us.
“We have definitely improved since then.
“We have two 15-year-olds and a couple of 17-year-olds, so it’s a young side and they have all the experience so we’re definitely going in as underdogs which is good.”
Jackson said a win on Sunday would top off a strong season for Woodford.
“It would be great for the club to have some success,” he said.
“It’s a pity the ones didn’t make it last week.
“Division three is a good side.
“There are probably a couple of divvy three players that could be playing divvy two.”
Fary and Jackson tied for the E. Dakin Perpetual Trophy last night on 19 votes.
Fary, 49 next week, made it back-to-back cricketer of the year awards and collected the batting average award with 55.29 and the bowling aggregate with 31 wickets.
Fary couldn’t recall a standout performance, saying he prided himself on his consistency.
The veteran Tigers leg- spinner notched his 400th WDCA match in December and will play in the grand final alongside his son Sean.
Sean will play in his first division two grand final.
“The oldest son James is missing out on the grand final,” Fary said.
“He had his ap pendix out last Tuesday.”
It was the first time Jackson had won the division two cricketer of the year award.
The all-rounder also won the batting aggregate with 512 runs.
“It’s a bit embarrassing. It is a bit of a shock,” Jackson said.
“With the year that I had I didn’t expect it.”
Jackson, the Eels’ number four bat, said his medium pace bowling improved this year.
“I probably just come on when we need a wicket,” he said.
Jackson, 39, said he enjoyed watching his son Tom, 12, play cricket.
“I would like to play until my son comes through,” he said.
“He played his first senior game on the weekend in the first semi-final in division three.
Woodford’s Sam Batten won the division three cricketer of the year award with 18 votes.
Batten, who will play in the division three grand final against Koroit, is an opening bat who made 91 in the Eels’ semi-final win against Russells Creek 2.
He scored 738 runs for the season and snared 23 wickets.
Justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au
