Crib Point seam bowler Glenn Barclay wins Wedgwood Medal after stellar 2015-16 season

CRIB Point opening bowler Glenn Barclay’s 47-wicket season has earned him the MPCA’s top award, the Wedgwood Medal.

WHEN Glenn Barclay walked into Crib Point Cricket Club as a seven-year-old, few knew the club’s greatest ever bowler was starting a marathon spell.

Three decades and hundreds of wickets on, Barclay is held in the highest regard by all at the Magpies; a loyal champion.

Last week, the laid-back 38-year-old won the MPCA’s highest individual award, the Wally Wedgwood Medal, as the best player in Provincial for season 2015-16.

It was well deserved. Barclay’s stellar season yielded 47 wickets and helped steer Crib Point into its first-ever top grade grand final.

“I didn’t think I’d win it but everyone else kept telling me I was going to,’’ Barclay said.

“It usually goes to a bloke who is an all-rounder, not a bowler.’’

Glenn Barclay is the second Crib Point player to win the Wedgwood Medal.

Tall, with a beautiful upright action, Barclay’s accurate seamers have been catching bat edges for years. This season, his big hauls included a 9-24, and three five-fors.

“I just try and hit the seam and nip it around a bit,’’ Barclay said.

“I try not to go for heaps of runs and keep the pressure on I suppose….force the batsman to make a mistake. If you nip them around a bit they’ve got to nick one sooner or later.’’

Crib Point’s statistical records aren’t flash, but club insiders say Barclay must have taken about 600 First XI wickets in more than 200 games.

He’s a star, but it’s his loyalty that makes him a Cribby legend. Rival clubs have tried for years to lure bearded “Barkas’’, but he says he’s never wanted to leave his mates.

“No, not really. I’ve enjoyed playing with my mates,’’ he said.

“If it’s good enough for Luke (Herrington) and all them to hang around, and even Henry (Dolphin)…while they’re around I’m pretty happy being a one club player.

“It’s too late for me to go anywhere now. I’m too attached to the joint. I spend most of my life down there. If it’s not cricket season, it’s footy season. I only live across the road.’’

Barclay is the second Crib Point player to win a Wedgwood Medal. Luke Herrington won the award in 2006/07. Barclay polled 14 votes to finish two ahead of ahead of Baxter teammates Dale Irving and Chris Brittain.

Red Hill run machine Simon Dart has won back-to-back Betts Medals.

Meanwhile, Red Hill skipper Simon Dart won his second successive EG Betts Medal (in District), while Aaron Kaddatz (Dromana) and Matthew Whelan (Tootgarook) tied in the Sub District Thompson Medal.

Wally Wedgwood Medal (Provincial): Glenn Barclay (Crib Point) 14, Dale Irving (Baxter) 12, Chris Brittain (Baxter) 12, Leigh Lowry (Somerville) 11, Wade Pelzer (Peninsula Old Boys) 11, Scott Phillips (Long Island) 10, Justin Grant (Mt Eliza) 9, Brad Rossborough (Somerville) 9, Nicholas Baron (Mt Eliza) 9.

EG Betts Medal (District): Simon Dart (Red Hill) 17, Tom Wood (Baden Powell) 15, Chris Dew (Pearcedale) 13, Ash Mills (Seaford Tigers) 13, Paul Hartle (Seaford) 11, Shayne Gillings (Pearcedale) 11, Kaine Smith (Pearcedale) 10, Kristian Miller (Heatherhill) 10, Mathew Meagher (Seaford Tigers) 10.

Tootgarook’s Matt Whelan (above) has tied with Dromana’s Aaron Kaddatz in the Robert Thompson Medal in MPCA Sub District.

Robert Thompson Medal (Sub District): Aaron Kaddatz (Dromana) 16, Matthew Whelan (Tootgarook) 16, Lai Leaunoa (Frankston YCW) 14, Andrew Kitson (Frankston YCW) 12, Tim Birch (Hastings) 12, Jack Fowler (Dromana) 12, Brenton Taylor (Balnarring) 10.