Scone has taken all three top spots in the 2025 Melita Watson Order of Merit, with the perennial performer, Lyn Banks claiming the coveted title.
“It’s an honour to win this Melita Watson award after all that she has contributed to the Hunter River District,” Banks said.
“She is a life member, so it is certainly special.”
Despite one round remaining with the Stroud Open on December 7th, Banks has an unassailable lead on 2060 points, 560 ahead of clubmate Leah Jamieson and 730 ahead of Julie Leckie.
Banks said she was consistent all year but there was also a bit of luck involved.
“I have played a lot of events this year so that certainly helped but I was also lucky because I was away for some of the days but then they ended up being rescheduled to days that I could play,” she said.
Banks has won multiple Hunter River titles, including the Hunter River District Championship and several Sandgreens trophies, and she says this win rates highly.
“It’s a different sort of feeling, because when you win an event it is over one day and the instant gratification is there but with the Order Of Merit, it’s over a long period, so I guess this is just the icing on the cake for your play during the year,” she said.
While the women’s OOM is decided, the men’s Mick Watson Order of Merit is still up in the air, with next months’ District Championships pivotal to the leading packs chances.
Max Wallington on 1600 points, has a slender 330 lead over Kurri ‘s Josh Stig while Kurri’s other Josh, Josh Udbinac, is 445 adrift.
With 500 points on offer for the winner this weekend, the table could change dramatically.
2025 Melita Watson Order of Merit winner, Lyn Banks from Scone.
Banks is congratulated by HRDGA Life Member, Melita Watson