Jayden Derosa was named the Peel Cricket Association’s A-grade champion player at the league’s awards night on Monday night.
The Waroona opening batsman smashed his way to the award, taking out the league’s best batting aggregate along the way after scoring 692 runs at an average of 49.43.
There’s no better example for Derosa’s epic form this season than his preliminary final knock of 89 which lifted his team into a grand final on Sunday.
Facing a tall order with his side in a 1/4 hole, Derosa powered Waroona over the line and they will now take on Singleton in the grand final.
Over the course of the season, Derosa piled up two centuries and six half centuries, with his highest score of 125 not out coming against Halls Head in round five.
He also took a league-high 27 wickets and claimed six catches.
Not surprisingly, he was named in the PCA’s A-grade team of the year, alongside fellow Waroona opener Ben Wright.
The duo were joined in the side by Jamie Lee (Pinjarra), Cameron Reyne (Baldivis), Kane Standing (Warnbro), Matthew Jenkinson (Mandurah), Josh Peterson (Halls Head), Joshua Gorman (Pinjarra), Brad Holmes (South Mandurah), Ian Lattimore (Mandurah), Scott Rogers (South Mandurah) and Joseph Slade (Pinjarra).
Jay Boyd finished on top of the A-grade’s bowling average while Josh Gorman led the fielding with 25 catches and six stumpings.
Mandurah’s Anuj Dal finished the season with the league’s best batting average, going at a whopping 86.40 runs per game clip.
Wade Hall took out the B-grade champion player award, while Gavin Clothier (C-grade), Peter Giallombardo (D-grade), Rhys Donald (E-grade) and Corey West (F-grade) topped their respective divisions.
Glenn Kerr got the nod as umpire of the year.
The Peel Cricket Association also inducted Peter Swarbrick to its ranks as a life member.
Swarbrick moved to the Rockingham region from Geraldton in the early 90s and started playing for Warnbro in their formative years in the senior Peel competition.
Playing in the A-grade he quickly gained a reputation as a formidable top order batsmen around the district.
Swarbrick then moved into administration roles in the mid 90s being instrumental in the setting up of the Rockingham Mandurah Districts Cricket Club.
The stalwart sat on a number of committees in his time representing the league.
The Peel Cricket Association will now turn its focus to its grand finals.
For the full fixture, visit peelca.wa.cricket.com.au
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
