THE phenomenal season of Pakenham all-rounder Russell Lehman was rewarded on Saturday night when he scooped the pool at the club’s vote count held at Toomuc Reserve.
Lehman’s stellar season of 522 runs and 42 wickets saw him poll 28 votes to win not only the Premier Division Player of the Year award but also the Don Jackson Award as club champion. Other winners on the night were Shannon Mitchell (Sub-District), Rod Berry (C Grade), Dave Nobels (E Grade), Paul Hart (F Grade) and Jeremy Hill (G Grade), but it was Lehman who drew highest praise. “There’s nothing much left to say about Russ,” said Lions skipper Jason Williams after Lehman had scored a fine 63 against Kooweerup on Saturday, to back up his 7/54 on day one.
“He’s been phenomenal for us this season and I’m in awe, myself.
“He’s just been so consistent … but he’s put in all the hard work and it’s just reward for effort.
“It’s pretty scary to think how good he can be because there’s no set way to get him out.”
Despite Lehman’s efforts, the Lions’ Premier Division team will be only one of the club’s six teams not lining up in this weekend’s semi-finals.
For more cricket, including all the semi-final fixtures, see page 54.
