Valley batsman Marcus Rowe admits his passion for cricket has been rejuvenated since moving to the Singleton region in recent years.
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After guiding Valley to a handful of titles in the Singleton District Cricket Association the 42-year-old received some individual praise this afternoon when named as the third grade player of the year.
"Back in September, 2016 when first moving to town I had a few beers with Jamie McNamara," Rowe reflected.
"I was talked into playing cricket again that day and it was the best move.
"To end up at Valley where they welcomed me with open arms made moving to a new town very easy; they're a great family so I must say 'Rally Valley'."
A sensational third grade leading total of 637 runs, which included 172 against Denman in October, in the third grade competition held the West Australian in good stead prior to this afternoon's announcement.
He would finish on top of the podium with 77 points ahead of Denman's Al Murphy (66) and Glendon's Austin Maher (48).
For the first time since World War 2 the association's season was abandoned due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Valley, who took out all three third grade titles last season, finished fourth this month and was due to take on arch-rival JPC in what loomed to be a heated semi-final.
"Personally I didn't finish the season as well as I started but had a lot of teammates pick up the slack," Rowe continued.
"I've always just been a bit of team player and never really won too many individual trophies so it was good to get one even at my late age.
"But I have no doubt we would have given the finals a real shake because as a team we had really hit form in the last month."
Rowe would finish the season with an averaged 63.7 runs to finish outright second with the bat ahead of his skipper Jason Newberry (57.62) and behind Denman's Dave Sowter (107.5) who made three appearances.
"I just want to thank my wife who just had a baby recently for sparing me the time to play," Rowe concluded.
SDCA THIRD GRADE (SEASON 2019/20)
Player of the Year points
77 - Marcus Rowe (Valley)
67 - Al Murphy (Denman)
48 - Austin Maher (Glendon)
Most Runs
637 - Marcus Rowe (Valley)
Average
107.5 - Dave Sowter (Denman)
63.7 - Marcus Rowe (Valley)
57.62 - Jason Newberry (Valley)
Most Wickets
25 - Al Murphy (Denman)
Average
9.26 - Steve Dunston (JPC)
10.64 - Anthony Worth (Denman)
11.20 - Austin Maher (Glendon)
Wicket Keeping
9 - Marcus Downes (Glendon)
8 - Matt Jordan (Creeks)
6 - Cody Rowe (JPC)
