Top honour for local cricket stars

TWO Sunraysia cricket stars have been honoured for their golden summers last season with selection in the Victorian country league men’s and women’s teams of the year.

Gol Gol gun Wade Hancock was named captain of the men’s VCCL team this week in recognition for one of the best seasons ever seen with the bat in Sunraysia.

And Mildura Settlers all-rounder Sarah Telfer was named in the women’s VCCL team of the year after a stellar summer in the Sunraysia Premier Women’s competition.

Hancock’s magical run started in late November when he smashed 154 not out against Merbein.

The No.3 batsman, whose team won the First Division two-day flag in March, ended up with 1083 runs in all forms of cricket at a cracking average of 108.3.

His top score was 165 not out and he racked up eight not outs in 18 digs.

Hancock was over the moon with the VCCL selection as captain.

“It really is a great honour,” he said.

“It’s strange looking back on the summer. I was flat out on my property (with fruit-picking commitments) and with family and was not able to make it to cricket training during the week.

“I was in a bit of a flow state and didn’t put too much pressure on myself at the crease.

“When I was taking it more seriously, I was scared of getting out.

“But with lower expectations, I actually delivered much more. There could be something in that.”

Telfer said the VCCL honour “came completely out of the blue”.

“I was not expecting this at all,” she said.

The 21-year-old florist was in full bloom with both bat and ball, hitting 261 runs at 52.20 and taking 15 wickets at 6.60.

“Last season, I just wanted to have fun with the girls at Setts. To come away with all the Sunraysia awards and now this, it’s amazing.

“I love just playing cricket at Setts. Everyone supports everyone and it’s a great place to be.”

There was an official presentation of the teams in Melbourne on Sunday morning, but neither Hancock nor Telfer were able to make it, mainly due to local football and netball commitments the previous day.

While Hancock is now focused on leading the Wentworth Roos into the SFNL semi-finals, Telfer will be part of a pivotal final-round clash for South Mildura’s A Grade netball team on Saturday.

The Bulldogs will need to beat Red Cliffs and hope Merbein falter against Irymple for Telfer and her teammates to seal fourth place and a spot in next week’s semi-finals.

While cricket and netball keep her involved in sport, the main priority for Telfer now is her burgeoning floristry business, Butr Studio on Eighth Street.

“Sport is kind of being put on the back-burner while I build up my business,” she said.