By Nick Creely
The legendary Craig Slocombe has capped off a brilliant 2016/17 season by claiming the Springvale South Club Champion award.
The brilliant left-handed all-rounder and club captain enjoyed a stellar season, making 289 runs at 28.9, with a highest-score of 82 against Narre Warren.
The 82, which came in the last round of the season, was a match-winner for the Bloods.
With wickets tumbling around him, Slocombe produced the knock in just 72 balls in the small total of 178.
But it was with the ball that Slocombe truly shone.
After bowling very little in the first month off the season, the wily skipper took 20 wickets at the impressive average of 10 and an economy of 1.9.
In Round 5, Slocombe took an incredible 5/7 off 15 overs against Dandenong West, a spell that included 11 maidens.
He also took impressive hauls of 4/8 against Berwick, 3/19 against Buckley Ridges and 2/40 against Cranbourne.
It has also been confirmed that Slocombe will continue on with the club next year as captain, after toying with the idea of retirement.
Star top-order batsman Nathan King finished runners-up in the Club Champion voting, after scoring 320 runs at 29.00 and chiming in with 8 wickets.
Other list of winners:
Turf 1 Batting: Jackson Sketcher
Turf 1 Bowling: Craig Slocombe
Turf 1 Fielding: Nathan King
Most Improved: Mitch Healey
Most Determined: Mitch Forsyth
Coaches Award: Jack Wetering
Encouragement Award: Nathan George
Peter Mathison Best Club Person: Tony Cooper
Darryl Halliwell Award (Junior Club Champion): Sam Wetering
