PIGEON Ponds now has a P.F. Christie Medallist after Simon Close topped the votes at the Hamilton and District Cricket Association event on Wednesday night.

Close polled 19 votes to finish two clear of College’s Charles Murrie and Drews captain, Brendan Huf, who was gunning for a record fourth medal.

The Pigeon Ponds all-rounder said it was a surprise to collect the award and expected teammates to steal votes off each other.

“Murray Staude had an outstanding year and I thought we might pinch a fair few votes off each other, but in the end I am really stoked,” he said.

“To look on the table and look on the paper that had the previous winners and to be now on that is truly humbling.

“I am just over the moon.”

The 31-year-old only played 13 games for the fifth-placed Ponds, but scored 630 runs at an average of 70.11 and claimed 13 wickets.

The Ponds opening batsman said it was one of his best seasons to date, noting the difference between his best and worst games had reduced.

“It was quite consistent I think, usually I get in a bit of a rut when I make some low scores in a row, but I managed to dig in with Peter Staude, my opening partner,” he said.

“Starting with the T20s, it gets you in an attacking frame of mind, which then goes onto the one-dayers.

“If the ball is there to hit, no matter what stage of the innings, I am going to hit it; I am a free-flowing player.

“I am looking forward to the two-dayers though, I would say I am a two-day player.”

Close also ditched the wicket-keeping duties, and was used as a bowler more often.

He said it came out of necessity, but he was excited to change his role in the team going forward.

“It is probably our bowling line-up, I am a bowler now though and I like bowling and contributing in the field,” he said.

“I will just bowl first change and tighten it up.”

It was a breakaway trio after 10 rounds with Hamilton’s Tobi Cook, Ponds teammate, Murray Staude, and Murrie all sharing the lead with nine votes, while Close had only polled seven votes up to that point.

Murray Staude eventually finished third with 15 votes ahead of Casterton District’s Rick Killey, who polled 12 votes.

Close said he still has more improvement and will continue to challenge himself to get better in all facets of the game.

“Next year the aim is to just be more consistent,” he said.

“I am competitive and I like to win and do well, and the good thing with cricket is even when you win, there is always improvement and ways to get better.

“I love the game, I am passionate about it and always wanting to improve.”

With Pigeon Ponds 70 kilometres from Hamilton, he said the efforts from everyone at the club had played a part in his success.

“The amount of work Lloyd has done, to the stalwarts of the club who have been there day in day out for years and years, I thank you for your loyalty,” he said.

“Thanks to my wife and daughter, and my father (Robert) has also mentored me through my life and has had a huge influence on my cricket career.”