With the excitement and associated nerves of playing in a Grand Final our men’s B and C Grade teams went into battle for our club against Woodville in the C's and Sturt in the B's. Both teams had played in Grand Finals last year with our C Grade winning against Woodville and our B Grade losing after the game was abandon due to rain to top place finisher Northern Districts.Our B grade had unfinished business, feeling robbed of the opportunity to play last year they were focussed on getting the best out of each other and doing the club proud. With significant rain falling over the week leading into the match our B Grade opening batsman and curator Brenton Maiolo did a magnificent job in managing the weather and pitch preparation to present a fair cricket wicket. Sturt won the toss and elected to bat, again an endorsement of the pitch, Southern skipper Jason Riley was also looking to bat if the toss fell his way. Sturt started positively with some assertive stroke play against Jarryd McCormack and Matthew Sugg. With adjustments to length and bowling a tempting line Matthew Sugg soon helped Southern grab control, his first wicket saw dangerous opening batsman Watson caught brilliantly at short cover by Brenton Maiolo low to his left, this was followed two runs later by an edge to first slip and a clean as a whistle take by veteran Jason Riley. The Sugg impact was not over and a further feather nick to keeper Steven Ford saw Sturt top order undone and Matthew Sugg with three valuable wickets. Jarryd McCormack who had kept the pressure on batsman after a nervous start created more havoc and immediately took the fourth wicket without Sturt adding a run, at 4 for 22 Sturt attempted to dig in and re-establish their innings. Sturt skipper Matthew Burr, supported by Stagg put on 26 before Patrick Jolly tempted Stagg with a wide delivery and an edge well taken again by Jason Riley saw the fifth wicket fall. Tom Joraslafsky then got in on the action and with flight, (not much spin) deceived the Sturt Skipper into miss hitting the ball to cover, Paul Roberts accepted the gift and Sturt were 6 for 56. The Southern momentum didn't stop there Patrick Jolly chimed in again with a regulation edge to Steven Ford, 7 for 57. While on a tactical roll, Jason Riley had one more trick up his sleeve and turned to Scott Heywood, questions were asked by knowing spectators but the skipper new better and showed faith in his fellow stalwart, Scott didn't let him down immediately removing Wilson, 8 for 70. Southern had the smell of blood and were looking to wrap up the innings, again the skipper turned the screws and engulfed the batsman with 6 fielders close to the bat striving to get to the 9th wicket before tea, Tommy J did the rest, this time using the well prepared wicket to gain turn and bounce the inside edge was collected and Brenton Maiolo won the raffle and accepted the catch, 9 for 71 and an extra half hour to bowl. Again Scott Heywood did the job, with a smile and a healthy repour with umpire Uthenwauld and a number eleven throwing the defensive technique book out Scott wrapped up the inning with a very plumb LBW, Sturt all out 84. Bowling figures included; Sugg 3 for 31, McCormack 1 for 16, Jolly 2 for 8, Joraslafsky 2 for 24 and Heywood 2 for 5.
With some 36 overs still remaining on day 1 openers Paul Roberts and Brenton Maiolo need to make a strong statement, the wicket conditions had not changed and Southern batsman needed to play the Sturt side out of the game. That's just what they did openers posted a 47 run partnership before Paul fell LBW to Barnhurst for 27. This brought all-rounder Matthew Sugg to the crease to join Brenton Maiolo, together they held their nerve and worked the ball into gaps, running between wickets well and controlling the pace and accumulation of runs. Sugg judgement of line was excellent and anything on leg stump was eased away for 1, 2 or 4. In a twist of faint Southern reach 1 for 84 at last ball bowled and need to come back on day 2 to complete the mission.
Aware of not giving Sturt any chance Sugg and Maiolo started the day as they had finished day 1, a strong resolve to play Sturt out of the game. This they did, with Sturt all but conceding by bowling various non bowlers just before drinks. Brenton Maiolo attempting to outscore his partner skied a ball to mid-wicket and was caught, a solid 54 and job well done. At this point Sturt captain Matthew Burr extended his hand as a sign of conceding defeat and with Sugg not out 56 the Grand Final victory was Southern's.
After a full day and an hour on the second day captain Jason Riley and his players had outclassed respected rivals Sturt and had secured club history by winning our first B Grade flag.
In a well convened post match ceremony Jason Riley thanked Sturt for the game, recognised a band of volunteers for supporting his teams bid for finals glory and recognised his team’s season and every player’s contribution.
Congratulations and well done to our B Grade team!!!
C Grade Summary
In the C's the story was different, we lost the toss and were sent in. With an early loss of Rhys Barrett, Brendan McCormack and Tom Phillips worked hard to get the Stingrays back on track, but at 30 we lost our second wicket with Tom Phillips out for 11. This brought Kuang Tan together with Brendan McCormack, the experienced pair steadied the ship and put on 41 before Brendan McCormack fell for 34 after over two hours at the crease. Kuang Tan (20) followed immediately after and suddenly Southern were 4 for 71 and both experienced players out. Unfortunately the remaining batsman could not gain any traction and wickets fell in pairs with Chad Franceschini (9) and Corey McIvor (8) both being dismissed with the score on 89, then followed Deon Laubscher (4) with the total on 96, skipper Steve Kerr (2) out a run later. The final two wickets fell, at 102, Jamie Robshaw (7) and then on 106 all out, Sean Williams (4), Daniel Rogers remained 0 not out.
This left Southern a huge task to defend 106 and retain the mantle of C Grade Champions. Sean Williams struck early with Woodville losing their first wicket when the score was 13, then 2 runs later Steve Kerr stuck to have Woodville 2 for 15. With stumps on day one looming Southern were keen to make inroads to the Woodville batting and bowlers did create 3 difficult chances but unfortunately they were not taken and Woodville were 2 for 25 at stumps on day 1.
With all to play for the Southern lads set about making day 2 theirs, Corey McIvor toiled hard taking the first two wicket of the day having Woodville slightly ahead at 4 for 58. At 4 for 79 Woodville looked well in control but up stepped skipper Steve Kerr and Daniel Rogers, Kerr picked up the next wicket, number 5 and then 3 runs later Rogers made another break through and Woodville were suddenly 6 for 82. Kerr continued to work hard and two more wicket fells one at 94 and then next at 100. With 7 runs for victory and two wickets in hand Woodville looked the goods but again the Stingrays wouldn't give up and Corey McIvor broke through to have the Peckers 9 for 102. What a game and what a finish, with a strong local crowd supporting Woodville and with only a hand full of runs left to defend Woodville proved too strong and scraped over the line in a game that all participants and supporters will remember.
Bowling figures included Sean Williams 1 for 22 of 15, Steve Kerr 22 overs 4 for 35, Corey McIvor 16 overs 3 for 14, Daniel Rogers 1 for 20 of 14 overs and Jamie Robshaw o for 14 of 8 overs.
The Stingrays boys did us proud showing real determination and fight and there is no doubt gaining themselves and our club real respect. The Woodville officials recognised this in post match speeches and while no consolation prize it provides heartening encouragement for next season. The C's have played in 3 grand finals in a row and have tasted defeat and victory along the way, these experiences build character and our club. Recognition must go to Steve Kerr for drawing the team together over the last two seasons, a job well done.
See you on April 15 to celebrate season 2010-11.
