OAK Flats Rats Cricket Club opening batsman Kerry Penfold has turned back the clock after winning his third South Coast Cricket Association Player of the Year Award.
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The award highlights the 44-year-old opening batsman's incredible return to his beloved Rats after three years in the Shoalhaven competition with Berry.
Penfold said there were many reasons for his return to Oak Flats, with the 40th anniversary of the club in October just one.
"I really wanted to be part of the 40th - I have played a lot of years with the club and it really is a great occasion, but apart from that, being closer to home and wanting to play on the new Oak Flats wicket, which was relaid last year, were a few more reasons," Penfold said.
"Apart from that I think a few clubs are looking at major improvements to grounds, including planned pavilions at Geoff Shaw Oval and Howard Fowles Oval - this really is going to be a great place to play cricket over the next few years."
When asked about his side's heartbreak in losing the MLC Advice Premier League final to rivals Lake Illawarra, Penfold just smiled.
"Yeh, I would gladly swap this trophy for a win in that one, but that being said I think the Lakers probably had a little more depth and motivation than us, but there is always next year."
He said being named as Player of the Year came as a complete surprise, despite notching a more than creditable 660 runs at an average of 82.5 an innings.
"I definitely didn't see that one coming - but I am really pleased to score that many runs.
"You really have to cash in one every innings - I think I only batted about 12 times this year instead of up to 20 when there was more teams in the competition."
He was also delighted to have won the M & M Sports Player of the Year on votes allocated on a 4, 3, 2, 1 system from the umpires.
"I only get one chance - as everyone knows I don't bowl, so I had to rely on my batting to catch their eye and I think I finished something like 20 points ahead of the next player in that one."
He has no intention to retire any time soon.
"While I'm keen and my body holds up I don't see any reason to retire.
"My young bloke Kip, who is 10, has just won one of the Oak Flats Junior Cricket awards.
"He thinks he is an allrounder but is an absolute clone of me, while eight-year-old Lachie has just started playing - who knows, one day I might even get to play with them," he said with a smile.
