BPCA awards revealed: Jan Juc coach Nick Hyden claims league medal

A Jan Juc star has claimed the league’s best-and-fairest award in his first season at the club. Find out who won each award here.

Cricket BPCA A1: Jan Juc v Ocean Grove Jan Juc batsman Nick Hyden made 151 not out Picture Mark Wilson

JAN Juc coach Nick Hyden has capped a stunning season by taking out the prestigious Ray Menzies Medal on Wednesday.

Hyden, who will lead the Sharks into Saturday’s BPCA A1 Grand Final against Anglesea on Saturday, claimed the league best and fairest on the back of a stunning season.

The powerful right-hander piled on 558 runs in 13 matches this year, including an undefeated 151 in the last round to lead Jan Juc into the fourth spot on the ladder.

Hyden’s total runs eclipsed everyone in the league, with Armstrong Creek’s Clay Mulgrew and Ocean Grove’s Shaun Fankhauser the next closest for total runs but still 131 runs behind Hyden on 427 each.

Jan Juc have made its fourth-consecutive grand final against Anglesea, with the Roos triumphing in each of the previous three contests.

Cricket . BPCA A1: Queenscliff v Jan Juc.Jan Juc batsman Nick HydenPicture: Mark Wilson

Hyden said he had enjoyed the different challenges that had come with the move from GCA1 club Grovedale at the start of the season.

“It’s been a really enjoyable year, it’s been quite different, obviously I spent eight years at Grovey, I had never been to half the grounds in the Bellarine,” he said.

“So it’s been a really nice change of scenery and change of environment, I’ve really enjoyed it and the success has been pleasing from a coaching point of view.

“To have three of four sides make finals, two in the grand final this weekend, so from a big picture perspective it’s been really pleasing.

“We’ve had 13 juniors play in our top three grades nearly all year, so the future looks bright.”

Hyden scored an unbeaten 79 in Jan Juc’s semi final win over minor premiers Queenscliff, with the Sharks bowling out the Coutas for just 88 runs.

The medal-winning coach said he had been pleased with his form with the bat throughout the season.

“It’s been pleasing, as I’ve said all year we want guys to bat time and fortunately the last few weeks in particular I’ve been able to spend a fair bit of time out in the middle,” he said.

“It’s better than the alternative and not spending much time out there, so it’s been really good.

“From a team point of view, in the last two weeks we’ve had a few really big partnerships which has set the games up.

“Whether that’s me this weekend or whether that’s someone else, we don’t care who it is, we’ve got guys who play their roles.

“At the end of the day if we have two or three guys really stand up then hopefully we can either post a competitive score or chase one down.”

Originally published as BPCA awards revealed: Jan Juc coach Nick Hyden claims league medal