Armstrong Creek Cricket Club cleans up in A1 at the BPCA’s annual awards

A shift from Colac to the Bellarine has paid off for an Armstrong Creek opener as he was named the region’s number one cricketer. See the photos from the BPCA’s annual awards.

The BPCA's team of the year from season 2023-24: (from left, back) Troy Griffin (St Leonards), Daniel Donaldson (Barwon Heads), Cam Gourley (Portarlington), Darcy Elliott (Anglesea), Stephen Illingworth (Portarlington), Luke Edwards (Jan Juc) (from left, front) Blake Dobbin (Drysdale), Corey Walter (Collendina), Shane Murdoch (Winchelsea), Tyron Norman (Anglesea), Brenton Toole (Portarlington), Daniel Maclean (Armstrong Creek) and Clay Mulgrew (Armstrong Creek). Picture: Mark Heenan.

A shift to Bellarine cricket from his native Colac has paid off big time for Armstrong Creek opener Clay Mulgrew.

The Titans run machine took home the player of the year award, the Ray Menzies Medal, for his exploits in A1 of the BPCA in 2023-24, including three unbeaten hundreds and three 50s.

Mulgrew, who smashed a competition-high 87 boundaries this season, hit 707 runs at an average of 88.38 during the home and away season.

His nearest rival was Anglesea and team of the year captain Tyron Norman with 551 runs at 50.09.

Speaking to this publication after the event, Mulgrew said he joined Armstrong Creek a few seasons ago after his home club Colac West couldn’t field a division one team, following former teammate Dylan Flanigan.

Armstrong Creek batter Clay Mulgrew won the Ray Menzies Medal. Picture: Mark Heenan.

Mulgrew adjusted to local conditions, where he believed the ball swung more compared to back home, to win A1’s biggest individual prize.

“I’m kind of a slow batter, I try not to give my wicket away too early,” Mulgrew said of his approach this summer.

“I’m just trying to dig in as much as I can for my teammates.

“I just got on the end of a few, luckily.”

He said an unbeaten 102 against Barrabool in Round 12 was his favourite ton, with the Titans chasing down 163 for victory.

Mulgrew, who has already signed on for next season with the Titans, will now turn his attention to football with South Colac.

Collendina's Corey Walter was the leading player in A2 in 2023-24, taking home the Ian Caldwell Medal. Picture: Mark Heenan.

His Titans teammate, Sam Stonely, won the bowling award with 21 wickets at 14.14.

Anglesea will be out to win its fifth A1 premiership in a row when it takes on Barwon Heads from Saturday at Bob Pettitt Reserve.

Incredibly, it will be the Roos’ ninth grand final in 10 seasons.

Meanwhile, Corey Walter has completed a triumphant return to Collendina by taking home the Ian Caldwell Medal for the best performing player in the league’s second tier.

Walter, who rejoined his junior club from Marshall, hit 580 runs at an average of 58 with two centuries and three 50s while taking 26 wickets at 10.96 apiece.

“It’s good to be back home,” Walter said after receiving his medal.

“It’s been so much fun coming back this year.

“There’s some really talented kids coming through (at Collendina).

“10 years ago I was playing with their fathers, now I’m playing with their young fellas.”

Drysdale’s Blake Dobbin was the leading bowler in A2 with 41 wickets at 11.27 while Winchelsea’s Shane Murdoch won the batting award with 489 runs at 69.96.

The BPCA's team of the year from season 2023-24: (from left, back) Troy Griffin (St Leonards), Daniel Donaldson (Barwon Heads), Cam Gourley (Portarlington), Darcy Elliott (Anglesea), Stephen Illingworth (Portarlington), Luke Edwards (Jan Juc) (from left, front) Blake Dobbin (Drysdale), Corey Walter (Collendina), Shane Murdoch (Winchelsea), Tyron Norman (Anglesea), Brenton Toole (Portarlington), Daniel Maclean (Armstrong Creek) and Clay Mulgrew (Armstrong Creek). Picture: Mark Heenan.

Barwon Heads' Tony Mirabella won the Barry Cox Medal for his batting in B2 of the BPCA. Picture: Mark Heenan.

Greg Scarpa won the Robert Pipan Medal for his performances in C1. Picture: Mark Heenan.

Armstrong Creek's Cameron McPherson and Anglesea's Michael Harper shared the John Dunne Medal for their exploits in the D Grade one day competition. Picture: Mark Heenan.

Anglesea's Jaryd McGuane won the Ron Evans Medal for his performances in B1. Picture: Mark Heenan.

Originally published as Armstrong Creek Cricket Club cleans up in A1 at the BPCA’s annual awards