Top performers honoured at awards ceremony
Matthew Wittstock and Kian Schwartz were the biggest winners of the night as Northerns cricket awarded its players.
Kian Schwartz and Matthew Wittstock were the biggest winners during the Benoni Northerns Cricket Club (BNCC) seniors’ end-of-season awards ceremony at Benoni Northerns Sports Club on Friday (May 16) night.
All-rounder Schwartz was named the club’s MVP following his exceptional overall contribution to the BNCC’s campaign in the 2024/25 Eastern Premier League season. Vice-captain Wittstock walked away with the chairman’s award for being an integral part of the senior team.
A favourite to win the award for a good portion of the season, Schwartz was awarded the accolade in absentia. The 23-year-old right-handed batter scored 316 runs for Northerns’ premier league side at an average of 52.67, with a high score of 98 not out.
The right-arm medium-fast bowler also took 17 wickets at a bowling average of 21.41, with an economy rate of 4.64 runs per over. His performances earned him a call-up to the Easterns Academy squad.
In addition to the chairman’s award, Wittstock won the bowler of the season and Premier League team Player of the Year awards for his 25 wickets at an average of 12.24 in 14 league matches, which included two five-wicket hauls.
Hailed as “a true club man” for his contribution on and off the field, Wittstock led from the front, captaining a young premier league side in 12 matches. At the start of the season, he also took seven wickets in the T20 competition, at an average of 10.57.
“The awards mean so much to me. I’ve been here since I was six. I’m now 25. I’ve spent the majority of my life here. Getting these awards not only means the world to me but also being able to give back in my coaching, trying to teach the youngsters the ways of the club and to love it the way I do. I love this club. It’s my home,” said Wittstock.
Tersia Owens won the women’s player of the year for her incredible performances, contributing 293 runs off 257 balls at a strike rate of 114 and an average of 73.25.
“The award means a lot to me. I always have a mindset to improve and learn. I always strive to be the best, and winning the award shows that I’m improving and heading in the right direction,” she said.
Dewald Pretorius won the batsman of the season and senior player of the season awards for his 862 runs, while Christopher Thompson was named the veteran player of the year.
Sean Kleingeld was recognised with the club man award for his behind-the-scenes efforts. Clayton Horlick won the young player award and Kenan Shaw was the breakthrough player of the year. The Academy side was named the team of the season.
Season analysis
The senior team finished fourth in the premier league, while the reserves won their league. The Academy side won the directors’ league, and the chairpersons finished fourth.
The Colts topped their pool but lost in the final, and the women’s finished second in their league. The Saturday first and third teams finished their league second, while the Saturday seconds won their league.
The veterans’ side saw Andre Steyn represent SA in the over-50s World Cup in Sri Lanka, while five others are representing Easterns in the ongoing inter-provincial tournament.
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