Grand Final Match Report
by
Lain Pocock
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Sunday, 25 March 2007
Match Report - 2006/07 2nd XI Grand Final VS Strathfieldsaye
@ Wade Street Golden Square March 17th & 18th
Sandhurst's first Grand Final appearance since 2001/02 saw us face Strathfieldsaye for the Second XI Flag at Wade Street Golden Square. After such a stellar all round performance in the Semi Final the side remained unchanged with only Vice Captain Alex Trump’s spot in the side questioned.
Simon’s luck with the toss didn’t continue and we were asked to field in good weather and good batting conditions. Mat Felini again got us off to the perfect start picking up danger man Shane Hodson for 1 in the 6th over.
With Trumpy picking up another wicket two wickets inside the first hour gave Sandhurst the honours.
It was then with the introduction of Travis Russell and Matt Pask the game turned sharply in favour of the Dragons. Travis Russell bowled like a man possessed claiming 3/37 in 20 Overs and with Pasky who collected a tidy 1 for 8 from 7 Overs Strathfieldsaye limped to tea at 6/94 off 48 Overs.
The tea break gave both sides a chance to regroup and reassess and despite several near misses Strath middle order batsmen Luke Millard & Matt Cameron formed a game breaking partnership taking the score to 200 before Ben Leed reintroduced for a second spell got the breakthrough. A farcical run out soon after to Trumpy and a superb outfield catch to Joel Schneider off Matt Felini to remove the dangerous Kristian Rogers were our final success’ as Strathfieldsaye did well to see out their 85 Overs finishing 9/259.
250 in any game of cricket particularly the pressure of a grand final is always going to be a tough task, but on a good wicket with a fast outfield and a score of 290 on the same ground 8 days earlier the boys new what was required bat 85 Overs keep wickets in hand and the game was ours.
The plan started well as Tipper and Ben Leed saw us through the opening 10 Overs without loss before a mix up saw Ben Leed run out for 11 and a needless loss of a wicket. The top order soldiered on placing great value on their wickets but when Joel Schneider feathered one to the keeper, Tipper picked out square leg for 31 and Matt Pask got hit on his wooden leg in the same over Sandhurst were on the back foot at 4/63.
With plenty of batting to come and Overs in hand there was no need to panic and Jas O’Neill and Tapper reshaped our innings negotiating the period through to tea to leave us 4/99 off 42 Overs.
Tapper and Jas continued on after tea scoring at a good rate adding 81 for the 5th wicket before Tapper (39) couldn’t quite get enough bat on ball to avoid a crucial LBW decision. Last weeks man of the match Dylan Gibson then joined Jason at the crease and the pair added 38 for the 6th wicket before first Jason (47) then Dylan (23) fell with the score on 182. In all 132 runs had been added whilst Jason was at the crease as he had done a tremendous job in first regrouping the innings then pushing us within striking distance of the target.
A partnership then developed between Kinners and Felini adding 28 to again have us in the game but when Matt Felini was adjudged LBW for 20, Sandhurst required 42 with Trav Russell & Trumpy at the crease. The boys gave it everything but when Trumpy was caught at mid off the game was over with Sandhurst 22 runs short bowled out for 237 in the 82nd over.
The boys and large contingent of supporters who had been so strong in their support all weekend were left to ponder how close it had been. Not much more can be said about the team, they gave absolutely everything and were left to wonder, why when they had done so little wrong over the course of the weekend could they still have come up short?
Everyone who played in the side throughout the season should be congratulated on their performances both individually and as a team in playing cricket that was both good to watch and played in the right spirit that earned the respect of all opponents. A large part of this was due to the example set by captain Simon Turnbull who’s leadership, belief in his players and hunger to succeed which was first class. Sometimes things just don’t go your way, but with such a young and talented side the majority of boys should be even hungrier for next season to start.
Trav Russell picked up Man of the Match for his 3/37 off 20 Overs and 16 not out.
DON’T FORGET PRESENTATION NIGHT THIS FRIDAY MARCH 23rd AT THE LAKE VIEW HOTEL FROM 7PM.
- The Giraffe Signing Off