The awards continue to flow for Westmeadows Cricket Club.
Having claimed the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north-west A1 premiership, the Warriors were among the big winners at the competition’s best and fairest night.
Warriors captain-coach Tarek Moughanie took home the Steve McNamara Medal for the best player in the north-west A1 division, as adjudged by the umpires.
Moughanie finished the season with 708 runs at an average of 47.20, which included two centuries and three half centuries.
He also took 16 wickets.
Moughanie said it was the perfect way to end the season.
“It’s nice,” he said.
“Ultimately you want to win the premiership first and anything else is a bonus.
“This is the strawberry on top.”
In a good sign for the future, young star Aaron Evans finished equal eighth on 16 votes.
Moughanie said Evans almost claimed the club championship award.
Moughanie was voted by his peers as captain of the team of the year.
He said being adjudged the best captain by the fellow players was an honour that carries a fair bit of weight.
Sathpath Kamburugamuwa was also named in the north-west A1 team of the year.
Moughanie said the focus for him now was to take that level of form into the higher grade, with the Warriors to be promoted to north-west division.
“It really motivates me to have a good year next year,” he said.
“I haven’t been able to stay consistent for two years for a while.”
The Warriors have already started looking to next season.
The club has signed former West Indian international Darrel Brown.
Brown has been playing cricket in Australia for a number of years, most recently at Balnarring in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.
Moughanie said Brown will add to the side.
“We played together 10-11 years ago.
“Darrel was in Danny [Law’s] bridal party. We always spoke about playing together.
“We’re all older and playing for not as much money. It’s about creating quality memories together.
“Darrel is really fit at the moment and runs around like a 30-year-old not a 44-year-old.”
The Warriors, though, look set to lose Kamburugamuwa, who has to move to Canberra.
Moughanie said they had more younger players to come through next season as well.
The Warriors women’s side was also recognised at the VTCA awards night.
The Warriors started the season with one team, which made the grand final, before forming a second side due to player numbers.
Danielle Linton was the women’s best and fairest, with her sister Natalie Linton finishing runner-up.
Sonja Viehl was named as coach of the season.
