Foreman, Crawford named joint O’Reilly Medallists

_{Tym Crawford (L) & Bertie Foreman pose after receiving the O'Reilly Medal for 2023/24 // Ian Bird Photography}

Dating back to 1967-68, the O’Reilly Medal has been awarded to the men’s First Grade Player/s of the Year and stands as the most prestigious individual accolade in NSW Premier Cricket.

Umpires award votes during every preliminary-round match during the season on a 3-2-1 basis.

Foreman, who joined the Waratah’s this season on a summer contract from Sussex, finished as the competition’s leading bowler snaring 50 wickets in 15 appearances at an average of 17.16.

His best figures came in Manly’s final preliminary round clash against Penrith, where he finished with 7-38 and 6-61. This marked one of five instances where he was voted the player of the match.

Foreman joins Mason Crane, Mike Gatting, Geoff Boycott and Tony Greig as the only Englishmen to have achieved the O’Reilly Medal.

Crawford, who captains Gordon’s first grade side, was the competition’s leading batter, tallying 1,207 runs at an astounding average of 67.06.

A score of 205 not out against Penrith in Round 8 marked the highest among the five centuries he achieved during the 16-round competition.

Crawford was judged to be player of the match on four occasions and joins Mason Crane, Elliot Richtor, Charlie Stobbo, Harry Evans, Marshall Rosen and Dick Guy as the only Gordon players to have won the O’Reilly Medal. 

The pair were awarded their medals in a joint presentation following the two sides' Belvidere Cup Qualifying Finals clash at Manly Oval over the weekend.

O’Reilly Medal Final Ladder