TOM Groth received his second Country Cricketer of the Year Award in Bowral on Saturday night.
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The 28-year-old farmer and grazier won the coveted trophy for the first time two seasons back.
On Saturday he received the second award in the Bradman Museum at a gala night.
“It’s a great honour,” Groth said.
“It’s always good to get recognition.”
The South Tamworth and Tamworth wicketkeeping skipper had a good season, taking Tamworth to a War Veterans Cup win and progressing deep in the Country Cup as well as captaining Central North Zone at the Country Championships.
From there he won a berth in the Country side, his seventh straight year of representation.
“We went to Canberra,” he said.
“We could have won it but dropped a couple of games we should have won.”
He’s hoping to make the side again this season and head off to Bendigo.
That the Country Cricket NSW presentations were held on Saturday night was a little awkward for Groth.
He plays for the Narrabri Blue Boars in the Central North Rugby competition.
“We had a minor semi-final against Tamworth Magpies,” he said of what was a second grade semi.
Narrabri won.
“We had plenty of numbers,” he said.
“I was tempted to play but thought this was pretty important.”
Groth also said he would be starting his new cricket season preparations in a few weeks.
“Just as soon as the rugby finals are over,” he said.
“That’s only a few weeks away.
“I’m looking for another big season but I think there might be a few changes as well.”
Central North Zone chairman Terry Psarakis said changes were imminent but was also delighted Groth won his cricketer of the year award.
“It’s a great honour for Tom – he deserved it,” Psarakis said.
“But it was a good night for CNZ. You (Geoff Newling) also won a second media award and the Under 17’s received their Country Cricket Championship as well.”
Psarakis also said no changes had been made to the representative schedule as yet.
“We’re still waiting on the associations to decide,” Psarakis said.
“It looks like the War Veterans Cup might go from a regular home and away competition between Tamworth, Armidale, Gunnedah and Narrabri to Tamworth having club sides playing Armidale, Gunnedah and Narrabri sides and played over a couple of weekends.
“But that has yet to be decided.”
He’s hoping for a quick decision to be made early next month in a season where Tamworth will also host the Country Shield and Plate Finals from December 27-29.
