By Nick Creely
Champion Heinz Southern Districts all-rounder Michael ‘Slick’ Davies captured his maiden Wookey Medal on Wednesday 14 March at the Dandenong Club, as the champion Turf 1 player of the 2017/18 Dandenong District season.
The star Cobra; who is one of the most well respected players in the region; enjoyed his finest season in the association, notching up 468 runs at 42.5 and 35 wickets at the incredible average of 10.2.
Known for his stump to stump line and skiddy action, Davies was the leading wicket taker across the Turf 1 home and away season, and also played a fine hand with the bat on several occasions to help his Cobras over the line in several matches.
Davies plundered three half centuries and took three five wicket hauls, earning himself 37 votes from the DDCA’s umpires, meaning he is the first HSD player to win the prestigious award.
In a close second was Buckley Ridges champ Daniel ‘DJ’ Watson, whose remarkably consistent season saw him finish in a close second by just the single vote.
DJ also enjoyed arguably his greatest year down at Park Oval, whacking 746 runs at 62.2; including no score under 20; and taking 17 wickets at 25.4 with his pace bowling.
Rounding out the top five is Mordialloc superstar and two time Damien Fleming medallist Ian Daniel, who produced some extraordinary performances throughout the season, including his 171 not out against Dingley and his grand final 6/71 against Springvale South, five time Wookey Medal winner Steven Spoljaric and Hallam opening batsman Leigh Booth, who cracked 565 runs at the top of the order for the Hawks.
Wookey Medal top 10
Michael Davies HSD 37
Daniel Watson Buckley Ridges 36
Ian Daniel Mordialloc 34
Steven Spoljaric Springvale South 34
Leigh Booth Hallam 32
James Wilcock Berwick 27
Greg Todd Buckley Ridges 21
Kaushyla Gajasinghe St Mary’s 21
Susa Pradeep Buckley Ridges 18
Shaunuka Dissanayaka Dandenong West 17
