THE 2018/19 cricket season is one North Nowra-Cambewarra's Justin Weller will never forget.
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Not only did he skippered the club to their first ever premiership in the top grade of the Shoalhaven District Cricket Association, ending 25 years of heartache, but he also brought home a swag of individual accolades to boot.
After taking 47 wickets (in the regular season) at an average of 7.68 and scoring 317 runs at 28.82, Weller was named SDCA Cricketer of the Year and First Grade Player of the Year as well as taking out the Bowling and All-Rounder awards.
"I've had an incredible year from a personal perspective," Weller said.
"To claim such prestigious awards like Player of the Year and Cricketer of the Year is something I'll look back in a few years time and be very proud of.
"When you look around and see the level of talent we have in the SDCA and to think I finish ahead of all them in the points system is remarkable effort.
"In 2014/15, I took 68 wickets (while playing for Nowra) and despite us losing the final to Bomaderry, I always said that was going to be my best year.
"But this year, to take 58 (62 including representative) wickets, score more than 350 runs and to achieve my biggest achievement in captaining Norths to their first premiership - this will easily go down as my best year."
The final first grade award went to Ulladulla United skipper Harley Bell, who scored 434 runs at an average of 39.45.
Other major award winners were Batemans Bay's Darcy Knight (most improved senior player under 21), Batemans Bay's Andrew Malcolm (Outstanding Service to Representative Cricket), North Nowra-Cambewarra's Nick McDonald (Burns Cup Player of the Year), Berry-Shoalhaven Heads' John Ulrick (Jeffrey Cup Player of the Year), Batemans Bay's John Condon (Curator of the Year), Ian Davidson (Umpire of the Year) and Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens (Club Championship).
The four Spirit of Cricket awards went to Bomaderry (first grade), North Nowra-Cambewarra (second grade), Sussex Inlet/Batemans Bay (third grade) and Ulladulla United (fourth grade).
In second grade, Ex-Servos' Luke Jurancic was named Player of the Year and Batsmen of the Year, thanks to his 486 runs at an average of 44.18.
The other two second grade prizes went to Ex-Servos' Rocky Ninkovic (bowling - 23 wickets at 7.26) and Sussex Inlet's Shane Bate (all-rounder - 189 runs at 37.80 and24 wickets at 8.67).
Nowra's Shawn Higgins took out the Third Grade Player of the Year award, while Batemans Bay's Pat Griffin claimed both the bowling and all-rounder awards (314 uns at 52.33 and 20 wickets at 7.25).
The final award in third grade went to Norths' Marley Arthur, who claimed the batting prize, with his 268 runs at 53.60.
Finally, the fourth grade awards were dominated by Batemans Bay's Brett Woolridge, who brought home the Bowler, All-rounder and Player of the Year awards, thanks to his 21 wickets at 6.76 and 326 runs at 29.64.
Ex-Servos' James Hancock won the Batting Award in fourth grade, with 278 runs at 68.50.