GUNNING TAKES IT ALL

Kiama Leagues Club board member Allan Parr lends a hand to Kiama Knights second rower Daniel Ziggy Gunning. Gunning won all three major awards at the South Coast Group 7 Rugby League presentation night at Kiama Leagues Club last Friday. Daniel thanked his mum Jenny (pictured) when Michael Cronin (far right) presented him with the medal named in his honour, for Group 7 player of the year.

INSPIRATIONAL Kiama Knights second-rower Daniel Ziggy Gunning has scooped the pool at the Tooheys South Coast Rugby League presentation, after taking out the Michael Cronin Medal, Cleary Bros Player of the Year and Jim Doc McClean Southern Division Player of the Year, in front of a packed auditorium at the Kiama Leagues Club.

In an incredible effort, Gunning, who also won the Cronin Medal in 2002, scored a record 88 points to defeat his closest rival - Albion Park-Oak Flats second-rower Steve Butfield by an incredible 42 points.

Other players to feature highly in the award were Aaron Brierley (Batemans Bay) and Bill Brown (Nowra Warriors) on 33, Cole Skelly (APOF) 32, Simon Piminovs (APOF) 31, Steve Butler (Berry) 30, two-time winner Adam Stone (Milton) 29 and Derek Gray (APOF) 28.

Guest speaker ABC Cricket commentator Kerry OKeefe told a story or two on the night about fellow leg spinner and good mate Warney.

It is the first time that any player has ever taken the hat-trick of top awards, while to complete his dominance he was recently announced as the winner of the South Coast Register Player of the Year. The Athol Noble Medal also turned out to be a one-sided affair with Albion Park Outlaws premiership winning captain Mark McTiernan (56) taking the award ahead of Jonathan Hellmund (Shellharbour) on 35, Brett Stewart (Bomaderry) 32, Paul Moylan (Mt Warrigal) 30 and Daniel Deaves (Bomaderry) 29.

Other major awards on the evening went to Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies five-eighth Sam Burns who won the Roy Stewart Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year.

Kiama Knights utility player Josh Elliott won the St George Illawarra Dragons Under 21 Player of the Year and Berrys classy back-rower Nathan Benny took out the Bill James Trophy as Under 18 Player as well as taking out the Southern Division Under 18 award. Warilla club president Mark Roberts was also a popular winner of the Harold Alcock Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to the game.

The annual Kevin Walsh Scholarships were also awarded, with Mitchell Lennon (Culburra Juniors) and Jacob Boon (Albion Park seniors) announced as 2006 winners. Former Australian leg-spin bowler and current ABC radio commentator Kerry Skull OKeefe proved a big hit as guest speaker.

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Kiama Knights utility Josh Elliot took out the St George Illawarra Dragons U21 player of the year.

Gerringong Lions centre Peter Cronin pictured with the Stan Barrington Memorial Trophy for Top Point scorer in the U18 competition. Peter is pictured with Group 7 life member John ODwyer.