Perkins, Solia, Retirees Honoured at ACA Awards 2022/23

The arrival of April brings about a climax to the cricket season. While the ACES finished their season in Napier on April 4th, they then had to travel back immediately for the ACA Cricket Awards at Eden Park the following evening.

After 6 months of some intense, albeit damp cricket, the season wrapped up very quickly in the end.

This Awards evening marked a sea change in the way Auckland Cricket honours its best performers with the Cricketer of the Year Award being awarded to both male and female cricketers for the first time.

See the list of winners below and a transcript of their introductions, as read by Laura McGoldrick-Guptill on the night.

COMMUNITY AWARDS

Premier Men’s T20 CompetitionWinner – East Coast Bays Premier Men

 It should come as no surprise that this team’s aggressive batting approach this season reaped rewards in the T20 competition. Despite the rain having the final say in three out of their seven matches, they won their other four and then took out the grand final in front of their home crowd.

Winners of the Men’s T20 competition, East Coast Bays Premier Men.

Tom Hellaby Trophy – Premier Men’s Two-Day MinorWinner – East Coast Bays Premier Men

East Coast Bays unleashed their ‘Bazball’-style cricket on the Tom Hellaby competition this year too, but were given a good run for their money by Grafton. Their stunning two day campaign was secured in the last game with a massive innings victory over Waitakere.

Winners of the Tom Hellaby Two Day Competition, East Coast Bays Premier Men.

Hedley Howarth Trophy – Premier Men’s Two-Day MajorWinner – North Shore Premier Men

35 years since they last won the compe  tition, this win was a long time coming for North Shore. They got themselves to the top of the ladder early on and never let go, bagging an outstanding five wins through superb team performances, two more than the next best.

Winners of the Hedley Howarth Two Day Competition, North Shore Premier Men.

Pearl Dawson Trophy – Premier Women’s T20Winner – Howick Pakuranga Premier Women

And now to the women’s competitions. This year’s winner of the Pearl Dawson Trophy T20 Competition were the side to beat all season, and reached the final on the back of some tight bowling and aggressive batting. And in front of their home crowd at Lloyd Elsmore Park on the 12th of March, they won the trophy.

Winners of the Pearl Dawson Trophy, Howick Pakuranga Premier Women.

Prichard Cup – Premier Women’s Limited OversWinner – Takapuna Premier Women

This season’s Prichard Cup 50 over competition was a two horse race between powerhouse clubs – Cornwall and Takapuna, culminating in a final at Melville Park on the 25th of March. There could only be one winner though, and this year the silverware went to Takapuna Premier Women, who utilised a mix of youth and experience in a successful campaign.

Winners of the Pearl Dawson Trophy, Takapuna Premier Women.

Laurie Schnauer Cup – Player’s Player of the Year

Our next award is one that honours the player who has made the most outstanding contribution to Premier cricket across the season in the eyes of his peers – the Laurie Schnauer Cup for Players Player of the Year.

Winner – Tendai Chitongo.

 After such a successful season, it should come as no surprise that this next award is presented to a North Shore player. Tendai Chitongo has been a dedicated servant to cricket and his club. Tendai Chitongo was a key asset in his side’s successful Hedley Howarth campaign with his leg spin bowling and late middle order batting.

Consistently taking wickets with his leg spin bowling, including two 5 wicket bags and a 9-wicket match against Papatoetoe in their outright win, the winner of this year’s Laurie Schnauer Cup for Player’s player of the year is Tendai Chitongo from North Shore Cricket Club.

Merv Wallace Bat – Coach of the Year

Our next community cricket award is the marv Wallace Bat for Club Coach of the Year, awarded to the coach who is deemed to have made the most outstanding contribution to Premier cricket in Auckland.

Winner – Nick White.

In just his first season with East Coast Bays Premier Men, Nick White has turned them into a formidable unit, winning both the two day and T20 competitions. His ‘Bazball’ style approach has been nicknamed, naturally, ‘Whiteyball’ by the players. Bays were almost unstoppable this season and, thanks in no small part to the guidance of their coach, have been promoted into the Hedley Howarth competition next season. We’re all very excited to see ‘Whiteyball’ again next season.

Club coach of the year, Nick White.

ACA Community Umpire of the yearWinner – Allen Stanley

Our ACA Community Umpire of the year has just completed his 10th season with Auckland Community cricket. He has officiated in 227 club competition games ranging from School 1st XIs, District tournaments, to Senior Women’s and Men’s grades.

Allen is now a member of the Auckland Regional Panel which takes him to national tournaments and Hawke Cup appointments for NZ Cricket. He is also a regular in contributing to training workshops and support of new umpires. This season Allen was appointed to officiate the men’s finals for the third year in succession.

Community umpire of the year, Allen Stanley.

Carson Cup – Volunteer of the YearWinner – Mark Robson

The winner of the Carson Cup for Volunteer of the Year is someone who has been serving Auckland University Cricket Club for so long that no-one can quite remember when he started. Conservative estimates are around 20+ years. He is currently the President of the Board but has held numerous positions over the years.

His impact has been so massive that we can’t list everything he’s been involved with tonight but among his accomplishments have been growing Auckland University’s junior club to the second largest in the country, working with Auckland Council to ensure that Colin Maiden Park will never be converted to housing, and developing his club’s indoor training facility. He gives his time so selflessly that many assume he is an employee of the club rather than a volunteer.

Congratulations to the Volunteer of the year, Mark Robson.

Simmonds & Osbourne Shield – Club of the YearWinner – Cornwall Cricket Club

The Simmonds and Osbourne Shield is awarded to the best performing Club of the season.

In a closely fought contest, with the second placed club only ten points behind, the consistency of performances for Cornwall Cricket Club in a disrupted year was the key to winning this award. The Premier Reserve Men won the 2 day competition and their third grade side won the overall grade cricket championship. Their premier women were also runners up in both the Pearl Dawson and Prichard Cup.

Congratulations to our Club of the Year, winners of the Simmonds and Osbourne Shield – Cornwall Cricket Club.

DOMESTIC AWARDS

Women’s Batter of the Year

• Nominees
  • Bella Armstrong
  • Katie Perkins
  • Saachi Shahri

Winner – Katie Perkins

As if to remind us all what we’ll be missing next season, Katie Perkins’ last season of professional cricket was one of her very best. In six Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches she amassed 343 runs at an average of 68.60 with a century and two fifties. In the Super Smash she carried out a middle order finisher role, an often thankless task, and was only dismissed three times in her nine innings.

Your Women’s Batter of the Year, Katie Perkins.

Women’s Bowler of the Year

• Nominees
  • Amie Hucker
  • Holly Huddleston
  • Josie Penfold

Winner –  Amie Hucker

This season Amie fully grew into her role as a leader in the Hearts attack. She was joint top wicket taker in both the HBJ Shield and Super Smash, often called on in tough situations when her captain needed her the most. Her incredible one-handed catch off her own bowling against Central Districts in the Super Smash was one of the top moments of the summer.

Your Women’s Bowler of the Year, Amie Hucker.

Men’s Batter of the Year

• Nominees
  • Robert O’Donnell
  • Sean Solia
  • George Worker

Winner – George Worker

A move down to number 5 in the Aces Plunket Shield batting order has paid dividends for George Worker this summer, as he’s tallied up 460 runs at an average of 46, including 2 centuries. Combined with his usual dominance in the Ford Trophy, George’s second season in Aces colours was one to remember. A particular highlight was a match saving century against Canterbury at Hagley Oval in November last year.

Your Men’s Batter of the Year, George Worker.

Men’s Bowler of the Year

• Nominees
  • Adithya Ashok (A-dith-yah Aa-shok)
  • Sean Solia
  • Will Somerville

Winner – Adithya Ashok

Few who witnessed Adi Ashok’s debut wicket in the Plunket Shield this season will forget it in a hurry. A beautifully executed wrong’un dismissed Central District’s opener Will Young, who was well set on 75. Adi went on to grab 5 wickets in his debut match before following that up with another 5 wicket bag in his next Plunket Shield game. All up Adi took 36 wickets across formats for the Aces this season at an average under 30 and is now a vital part of the Aces bowling arsenal in all three formats.

Your Men’s Bowler of the Year, Adithya Ashok.

Auckland Young Cricketer of the Year

• Nominees
  • Adithya Ashok (A-dith-yah Aa-shok)
  • Amie Hucker
  • Fran Jonas

Winner – Adithya Ashok

The 2022/23 season saw Adithya Ashok rise from a talented young prospect to one of the first players picked on the Aces teamsheet in all three formats. His first two Plunket Shield matches resulted in two five wicket bags, he topped the wickets tally in the Ford Trophy and showed that his debut Super Smash campaign last year was no fluke with another great campaign this season.

Your Young Cricketer of the year, Adithya Ashok.

International Cricketer of the Year

It is an achievement to represent Auckland, it is always an honour when you get the international call up.  A sign that your hard work is paying off, that the many hours in the nets and out in the middle have been noticed by the National Selectors. We now present the International Player of the year award.

• Nominees
  • Mark Chapman
  • Lockie Ferguson
  • Fran Jonas

Winner – Fran Jonas

Still just 18 years old, Fran Jonas is now a valued part of the WHITE FERNS bowling attack in both 50 over and T20 cricket. Showcasing her youth and talent, she was selected to represent New Zealand in two World Cups this summer. Since making her T20 international debut at the Commonwealth games last year, Fran has picked up 14 wickets for the WhiteFerns at an average of 16 and an economy rate of just 4.5. With such talent and with time on her side, we may be witnessing the beginning of an incredible international career.

Your International Player of the Year, Fran Jonas.

ACA National Umpire of the Year

This next award commemorates umpires that have stepped up from community cricket to domestic and even international cricket. This level of umpiring requires astute judgement, a sound mind and endless levels of patience. We now present the ACA National Umpire of the Year award.

• Nominees
  • Chris Brown
  • Wayne Knights
  • Tina Seemens

Winner – Chris Brown

A former first class player for Auckland, Chris Brown is in his 10th year of umpiring. Alongside umpiring NZ domestic cricket matches Chris officiated 14 international matches including 2 test matches, 4 ODIs and 8 T20 internationals, 6 of them at the T20 World Cup in Australia last year. After another strong season in New Zealand, he was invited by the ICC to stand in a Bangladesh-India Test series, an honour normally reserved for the ICC Elite Panel of umpires.  

Your National Umpire of the Year, Chris Brown.

Player’s Player Award – HEARTSWinner – Katie Perkins

MC to invite Lauren Down to the stage to speak about award and announce winner.  

Player’s Player Award – ACESWinner – Will Somerville 

MC to invite Robbie O’Donnell to the stage to speak about award and announce the winner.

RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Awards nights such as these are a time to look over the season that has just wound-up and to celebrate the achievements of our teams and the individual success of players over summer. But it is also an opportunity to mark significant contributions and milestones that are the culmination of many years of tireless effort and commitment.  We would now like to call on the following players to celebrate their Auckland Cricketing Careers.

Will Somerville

The 2022/23 season marked the final stage of one of the Aces’ most extraordinary careers. Will Somerville, or ‘Dad’ as he is affectionately known, bowed out of professional cricket after the final Plunket Shield match wrapped up yesterday.

Will’s career is a true ‘feel-good’ story.

He made his first class debut for Otago in 2004/05 before moving to Australia and representing New South Wales in all three formats between 2014/15 and 2017/18.

Moving to Auckland with his family was a life-changing event for Will as he made his debut for Auckland in 2018/19 before being almost immediately called up to represent the BLACKCAPS at the age of 34  for their successful test tour of the UAE.

In the words of Auckland Cricket’s head of Performance and Talent, Daniel Archer, Will is an all-round wonderful human being who makes the people around him better.

He will be greatly missed by the Aces boys.

Congratulations on your career and thank you for what you’ve brought to the Aces for the last five years, Will Somerville.

Holly Huddleston

Holly Huddleston played her final match for the Hearts at the end of February, bringing to a close a storied career than began when she debuted for Northern Districts in 2005/06.

Since joining the Hearts for the 2009/10 season, Holly has taken 195 wickets, a Hearts record, and scored 2,351 runs.

Her energy and intensity were unmatched and she showed no signs of slowing down in her last season.

In this year’s Super Smash, she was the joint leading wicket taker for the Hearts with 9 wickets at average of 10 and picked up her best bowling figures of 4/21 against Canterbury.

Holly also represented New Zealand in 52 matches, taking 59 wickets including three 5-wicket bags, which remains a WhiteFerns record.

Thank you for your tireless dedication to the Hearts across so many seasons, Holly Huddleston.

Katie Perkins

Just before the season kicked off, Katie Perkins announced that it would be her last.

Katie will be remembered as simply the greatest batter to ever play for the Hearts. Over 16 seasons she amassed over 5,667 runs in 244 matches for Auckland, more than any other Hearts batter.

In her last season alone she scored over 400 runs across formats at an average of just under 50.

She also represented the WhiteFerns in 128 matches, scoring over 1,600 runs for her country since her debut at the start of 2012.

But it’s her impact off the field that will be remembered just as fondly by those fortunate enough to coach and play alongside her.

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the Hearts for so many years, Katie Perkins.

ACA CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

The Auckland Cricketer of the Year Awards recognise the Auckland players who have put together the most significant performances at domestic or international level in the season just completed.

In a 50-year history only two women have ever won this award. There are more playing opportunities for men and it is simply not an even playing field. It’s just as vital to acknowledge our best performing female player across the course of the season as it is with our best male performer.

John Morris was a talented junior cricketer at Kings and then for University before playing for Auckland for 5 seasons. He was also a pioneer in the field of orthopaedics, especially in the field of hip replacement surgery. He achieved a huge amount in a short space of time in both cricket and medicine before cancer claimed him at the tragically young age of 37 in 1970. The University club asked the ACA to initiate the Cricketer of the Year Trophy in his memory. 

Auckland Women’s Cricketer of the YearWinner – Katie Perkins

This year’s winner showed no signs of slowing down in her final season. Despite a long career spanning 16 years and a total of 380 matches for both Auckland and the WhiteFerns, she batted and fielded with unmatchable energy and athleticism. She has been described by her teammates and coaches as the glue that holds the team together and the rock of the batting lineup at number 3. According to Rob Nicol, she is a “belter of a human being” and she will be sorely missed by us all next season.

Katie Perkins is our ACA Women’s Cricketer of the Year.

Auckland Men’s Cricketer of the YearWinner – Sean Solia

This year’s Men’s Cricketer of the Year has been quietly achieving big things on the cricket field for a while now. He’s an opening bowler, opening batter, dynamite fielder and the ultimate team man. This year he reminded us of his invaluable worth with a Plunket Shield campaign that netted him 442 runs at 37 and 10 wickets at an average of 23.9. His all-round skills lend enviable depth to the Aces and we are truly lucky to have him represent us.

Sean Solia is our ACA Men’s Cricketer of the Year.

April 6, 2023