The Herald player of the year was dominated in the 1990s by brilliant left-handed batsman and orthodox spinner Mark Curry.

His battle with classy right-hand batsman and right-arm fast bowler Rhys Soper was gripping until Curry retired and Soper took over, claiming the former Burleigh Surf award several times.

There have been cameo appearances on The Herald honour board from Hamilton-Wickham all-rounders Matt Webber and Darren Herbert and the last batsman to win it was Wallsend's Brett Jackson in 2004-05.

All-rounders had a distinct advantage with a 3-2-1 polling system in place each week but now votes are taken on a 3-2-1 scale at the end of the two-day match.

"It's a bit fairer and gives individual batsmen and bowlers more of a chance," Newcastle District Cricket Association chairman Paul Marjoribanks said yesterday.

"The all-rounders will always have an advantage but if a batsman dominates the game he should get the three points."

University quick Josh Anderson and Belmont captain Mark Littlewood were leading the way on 14 points when voting went under wraps.

Newcastle City captain Joe Curk and Soper were on the next line of voting, three points adrift of Anderson and Littlewood.

Anderson had scored 408 runs and taken 38 wickets heading into the last of the premiership rounds and Littlewood had 478 runs and 30 wickets but missed the penultimate round, which may cost him on presentation night.

Hamwicks larrikin Sam Webber, who had posted some serious numbers with 390 runs and 35 wickets heading into the last match, looms as a bolter if anyone is to upset Anderson or Littlewood.

The Jimmy Dickinson Memorial Shield for the best batting average in first grade looks settled with Simon Moore's 558 runs at 69.75 setting the pace.

Sam Webber has taken his 35 wickets at the impressive average of 9.70 and, not surprisingly, the only other bowler in the top 50 wicket-takers with an average under 10 is his twin brother, Matt.

Matt has taken 21 wickets at the superior average of 9.05 but he needs 25 wickets to qualify for the award.