LIFE & STYLE
Hawks fly high at 40th anniversary
by Greg Martin
Hawkesbury Hawks legend, Mal Cobcroft, was up and down like a Jack-in-the-box last month during the cricket club’ s 40th anniversary celebration and presentation night at Windsor Entertainment Centre.
Cobby is a revered member of the Hawks flock, having played for the club over 28 consecutive seasons between 1985 and 2013.
He was the inaugural first-grade captain in that momentous 1985 – 86 season, and across those 28 seasons, played 359 games and racked up 8,783 runs, from first grade down to the fifths.
Master of Ceremonies, Hugh McKay, clearly enjoyed himself behind the microphone, repeatedly asking notable players, administrators and supporters to stand and be recognised for their contributions to the club.
This writer lost count of how many times Cobby was asked to rise to his feet in acknowledgement of his outstanding service.
The first time he hoisted himself out of his seat was when members of the inaugural first-grade side were asked to stand.
Joining Cobby in receiving a hearty round of applause were Mal Frost, Barry Coad, Ken Gunderson, Gary Donlan, Steve Maraga, Ian Alchin and Charles Doyle.
Cobby was also up as a Life Member, as a player in the Hawks team that took on a star-studded Jack Chegwyn XI, and as captain of a second-grade premiershipwinning side.
Perhaps the biggest cheer of the night came when it was announced that current club coach, Trent Johnston, had re-signed for another three seasons.
It was a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable evening for the 120 or so current and former players, along with their partners, who turned up for the celebrations.
A total of 23 awards were presented on the night, with the major trophies going to:
• First Grade Player of the Year: Jack James – 605 runs, 21 wickets, 13 catches
• Merilyn Fowler A. W. Green Shield Player of the Year: Sameer Kukade
• Eric Tuckerman Poidevin-Gray Shield Player of the Year: Aarush Soni
• Ian Alchin Wicketkeeping Trophy: Tom Sargeant – 36 catches, 2 stumpings( 38 dismissals)
• Shane Mott Most Wickets Trophy: Ryan Fletcher – 38 wickets
• Michael Shields Bowling Average Trophy: Lovish Sethi – average 14.7
• John Wilson Batting Aggregate Trophy: Taj Brar – 748 runs
• Malcolm Cobcroft Batting Average Trophy: Taj Brar – average 44.00
• Stan Moses Spirit of Cricket Trophy: Will Smith
Hawks great Stephen O’ Keefe and club president, Michael Shields, had the pleasure of present the coveted President’ s Award to first grade’ s Taj Brar. Taj made several other treks to the dais to pick up further awards.
• President’ s Award: Taj Brar
• Terry Jacobs Club Person of the Year: Scott Tuckerman
• Ian Forrest Memorial Pointscore Trophy: Jack James – 605 runs, 21 wickets, 13 catches
• Anthony Kershler Players’ Player of the Year: Bilal Qureshi.
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12 ISSUE 181 // JUNE 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT