WHEN Charles Litchfield turned up to watch the end of the Orange District Cricket Association first grade grand final on Sunday afternoon he received two surprises.
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First, the grand final was already finished.
Second, he was named the ODCA player of the year for the 2013-14 season at the presentation.
The Kinross player amassed an impressive 1600 points for the season to beat Cavaliers skipper Richie Venner (1433) for the award.
“I was a bit surprised. I thought someone like Richie [Venner] or James [Ryan] would get it. They’ve both had excellent seasons,” Litchfield said.
“I’ve had a half-decent grade season and a pretty good rep season.
“I’m really honoured. It’s good to be noticed, not only for grade but for my cricket outside of Orange.”
Litchfield scored 401 first grade runs this season, including two half-centuries, took 10 wickets and two catches.
All of this added up to 661 first grade points.
The 16-year-old also earned 180 best and fairest points, but it was his representative efforts which really paid off.
He earned 113 points for playing in the Orange open side, and 283 as part of his efforts for the Orange under 21s.
He was part of the Western Zone under 17 and under 19 sides which gave him 363 points.
Litchfield had plenty of competition for the award.
Venner racked up a massive 774 runs for Cavaliers this season to earn 1004 points, as well as 255 best and fairest points, and 174 points for his cameo for the Orange open rep side.
Orange City’s Shaun Grenfell came in third with 1359 points, including 1134 first grade points for his 394 runs, 32 wickets (including taking five wickets in an innings three times) and three catches, and 225 best and fairest points.
Cavaliers all-rounder Stu Middleton was fourth on 1134 points.
Hamish Finlayson was the best placed CYMS player in fifth with 1037 points.
Max Dodds was the best for Centrals in 11th with 661 points, while Matt Brakenridge was the highest placed Waratahs player in 13th with 633 points.
Litchfield said he was happy with his 2013-14 season but he hoped to better it in 2014-15.
“I’ll play grade again and rep stuff. I’ll see what opportunities come up and I’ll take them,” he said.