Cricket: “Phantom” honoured with Stainton Trophy at TCA Awards Night

Ryan Evans

Photo by: Andy Jackson

Legendary Taranaki cricket umpire and personality Ross Landon-Lane was honoured for his career behind the stumps with the award of Taranaki Cricket’s premier award – the Stainton Trophy – on Friday night.

Phantom, as he is known to all, has stepped away from the game after 30 years of umpiring and his contribution to the sport was acknowledged at Whitaker Civil Taranaki Cricket Association’s Awards Evening at The Devon Hotel.

He becomes just the second two-time winner of the award, having previously been recognised in 2010.

Taranaki Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association president Tony Boshier’s citation said Landon-Lane had started umpiring club cricket in the 94/95 season.

“Thirty years later he’s calling stumps, time, beer o’clock.

“Around 600 club games and 50 rep fixtures. Seen 1.2 million balls bowled. Staggering,” Boshier said.

“A previous winner of the Stainton trophy, it is only fitting that he wins it a second time. How can you honour this Taranaki icon and do him justice. You simply can’t.”

In the other TCA special award given out on the night, Stratford’s Grant Commerford took home the Fox Hall Memorial Trophy for outstanding performance in a club match for a super spell of 8/13 off 19 overs vs Hawera, including a hat trick for the final three wickets.

The awards night, which saw TCA’s junior and senior prizegivings combined for the first time, recognised top performances from throughout the representative campaigns.

The major senior representative awards were picked up by:

·        Jan Davies Sportswoman of the Year: Christabel Chatonzwa (77 runs at 25.67 and 9 wickets at 15.78)

·        Hurley Family Trophy Best Batswoman: Emily Cunningham (164 runs at an average of 41.25)

·        Angela Buckland Trophy Best Woman’s Bowler: Lucy Mitchel (9 wickets at 15.22)

·        Les Jones Batting Cup for Men: Bailey Wisnewski (337 runs at 56.17)

·        Parkinson Memorial Bowling Trophy: Jordan Gard (15 wickets at 28.2)

The Copelin Trophy for the Most Improved Taranaki woman was picked up by Cara Hollard and the Baroid Cup for Men’s Emerging Player went to Fianlay Barnes. The McPherson Trophy Men’s Player’s Award went to Shay Smith while the women’s Player’s Award went to Cunningham.

Taranaki Cricket General Manager Ryan Evans paid tribute to all the prize winners on the night, and reflected on some of the highlights of the year.

“Our junior boys rep teams were a pretty special story,” he said.

“Both the Year 9 and 10 boys and the Year 11 and 12 boys won CD championships, the first time in living memory Taranaki has picked up both trophies in one year.

“And we’re extremely proud of all our junior teams and their performances this season,” he said.

“As important as the wins, was the way these kids conducted themselves on and off the pitch, competing fiercely but in the spirit of the game and representing our region and our sport with pride.”

Evans said other highlights of the rep season had been Dean Robinson overtaking Brian Richards to become Taranaki’s all-time leading runscorer and the Bartercard Taranaki Women’s team compelling win over a strong Manawatu side to claim the Megan Washington Trophy.

“It’s been a fantastic night here, celebrating success throughout all our representative teams.

“Bringing the two prizegivings together into one night where we can really celebrate some outstanding achievements has been a big undertaking but we think people will agree it was a fitting event to celebrate our top cricketers.

“Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone, players, parents, families, supporters, sponsors, volunteers and staff who have all made the 2023/24 season one to remember for Taranaki Cricket.”

TCA special awards:

·        Stainton Trophy – For Services to Taranaki Cricket: Ross Landon-Lane

·        Fox Hall Memorial Trophy – For outstanding club performance: Grant Commerford

Senior team awards:

·        Les Jones Batting Cup for Men: Bailey Wisnewski

·        Parkinson Memorial Bowling Trophy: Jordan Gard

·        Baroid Cup for Men’s Emerging Player: Fianlay Barnes

·        Whitaker Civil Taranaki Men’s McPherson Trophy for Player’s Player: Shay Smith

·        Jan Davies Sportswoman of the Year: Christabel Chatonzwa

·        Hurley Family Trophy Best Batswoman: Emily Cunningham

·        Angela Buckland Trophy Best Woman’s Bowler: Lucy Mitchell

·        Copelin Trophy for the Most Improved Taranaki woman: Cara Hollard

·        Bartercard Taranaki Women’s Player’s Player: Emily Cunningham

Cross Country Rentals junior team awards:

·        Year 9/10 Girls Batting Award: Casey Duffy

·        Year 9/10 Girls Bowling Award: Bryanna Moir

·        Year 9/10 Girls Cricketer of the Year: Bryanna Moir

·        Year 9/10 Boys Batting Award: Tommy Ingram

·        Year 9/10 Boys Bowling Award: Riley Staddon

·        Year 9/10 Boys Cricketer of the Year: Cohen Riddick

·        Year 11/13 Girls Batting Award: Charlotte Butler

·        Year 11/13 Girls Bowling Award: Cara Hollard

·        Year 11/13 Girls Cricketer of the Year: Charlotte Butler

·        Year 11/12 Boys Batting Award: Taene Nelley

·        Year 11/12 Boys Bowling Award: Asher Ryan

·        Year 11/12 Boys Cricketer of the Year: Ethan Staddon