Winter League 2025 – Season Wrap-Up

September 2025 – The Winter League 2025 has drawn to a close with another season of competitive play, camaraderie, and community spirit. Players, reserves, helpers, sponsors, and supporters were all acknowledged for their contributions, ensuring the league continues to thrive.

Season Highlights

Weekly fees will remain at $5, despite increased expenses, with payment options available in advance or by EFTPOS.

Issues such as ball quality, reserve allocations, texting protocols, post-game food, and the value of the bar (both social and economic) were raised and discussed.

A popular “on the night” free draw was held throughout the season, with prizes such as bottles of Forrest Wine.

The league also made use of a new recording tool (with tilt and zoom functions) and celebrated efforts to preserve the Nigel Perry legacy.
 

Inspirational Players

Several players distinguished themselves by advancing six times during the season, earning guaranteed entry to next year’s Winter League. They included:

Cathy Kitto

Dale Hyland

Robin Taylor

Hamish McRae

Sarah Mason

Logan Croad

Sam Coulston

Stephen Dempster

Wendy Trolove

(These players were celebrated as true “heroes” of the competition.)

Top Performers

Women’s Division

1st: Wendy Trolove (225)

2nd: Sarah Mason (209)

3rd (tie): Cathy Kitto & Monique Godsiff (208)

Honourable Mentions: Max George (208), Stephen Dempster (209), Amon McGregor (217)

Men’s Division

1st: Hamish Morrow (229)

2nd: Chris Nott (228)

3rd: Hamish McRae (222)

Honourable Mentions: Anna Simpson (202), Hong Trevett (203), Anna Knight (206)

Reserves – The Backbone of the League

Reserves once again proved invaluable to the Winter League. Up to 39 reserves were listed at various times, with eight converting to full-time players during the season. Among the most frequently called-upon were:

Darin Herd (7 appearances)

Hiro Kishida (8)

Donna Clark, Mary Anne Sloper & Shige Kimura (9 each)

Doug Jones (11 – the most used reserve overall)

Looking Ahead

Players are reminded that registration is now open for the Nigel Perry Summer League, offering more opportunities for competition in the warmer months. In addition, the South Island Masters Games will be held on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025, providing another highlight on the sporting calendar.

Hamish Morrow

Chris Nott - Taylor Keen did the presentations

Hamish McRae

Sarah Mason

Wendy Trolove