Crack: David Newman cuts through the off-side during a premier cricket match. Newman won the Dandenong Cricket Club’s Brendan McArdle Medal on Friday night.By Glen Atwell
DAVID Newman was the toast of the Dandenong Panthers after winning the Brendan McArdle Medal and Club Champion award at the club’s season celebration on Friday night.
The presentation evening, held at the Cranbourne Golf Club, recognised Dandenong’s high achievers for season 2006-07 – and there were plenty of them.
Newman’s 683 runs, including two centuries, and 30 wickets capped of a great season for the former Casey-South Melbourne captain.
But it was a sixth-wicket partnership between Newman (76) and Darren Pattinson (87) in the Premier Cricket grand final against St Kilda that clinched Dandenong’s first Victorian Cricket Association premiership.
Newman was also selected in the Victorian Bushrangers’ second XI team.
To cap off what has already been a remarkable few months, the 25-year-old is getting married on Saturday.
Newman said it had been an amazing season and he looked forward to more success.
“Winning the premiership was a dream come true it was amazing.
“The two-week celebration that followed was the biggest of my life,” Newman laughed.
“Winning the McArdle Medal was such an honour, but the biggest thrill would be to get back out there and win another flag.”
Panther batsman Tom Donnell took out the first XI batting award after a breakthrough season which included 584 runs.
Paceman Paul Boraston won the bowling award with his 42-wicket season haul.
Boraston’s grand final return of 6/22 was enough to edge out Darren Pattinson.
Kumar Sarna won the award for best under-18 player and Tom Donnell was named the best under-21 player.
Long-time first XI scorer Craig Davenport was presented with the John Fordham Award for best clubperson.
The grand final against St Kilda was extra special for Davenport, who celebrated the scoring of his 300th first XI game that weekend.
The Brendan McArdle Medal is named after Dandenong’s former captain and coach.
McArdle played 181 games for Dandenong Cricket Club, was appointed as a life member in 1997, coached the first XI for 12 years and captained the side for 11.
Voting for the medal happens after every Premier League round, when each player selects their three best players.
