Senior Cricket Newsletter #3 Season 2013/14,
Sunbury defeated by 6 runs in one of the more memorable matches in McIntyre Cup history.
Match report
Riddell won the toss and chose to bat. On a damp track this proved to be a massive disadvantage as key to Sunbury’s success was to break through early. Riddell showed resilience in the first hour as Jason McGann and Heath Boffey found the going difficult slipping and sliding.
Brad Hunter (3/39) bowled a memorable spell unchanged for 18 overs was able to support a marathon effort from Jason McGann leading the attack with (5/58) Riddell finishing the innings at 171.
An even performance was required to achieve first innings honours however Sunbury fell short by 61 runs at the end of day 2. Jacob Brewer (36) and Paul Webber (30) were the stand outs. Unfortunately these were the only innings of note.
With nothing to lose on the third day Jason led his team in a throw of the dice situation. Bowl them out cheap and have a dash at the total. As it played out after keeping out the initial overs of Jason and Hunter, Riddell slumped to be all out for 90 after losing their 4th wicket at 77 being all out for 90.
The target set was 152 off 22 overs for victory.
After losing early wickets Jacob Brewer (53) continued his fine form attacking the bowling in an intelligent batting display. Wickets unfortunately fell at a consistent rate and without a partnership holding the later part of the innings together the task almost seemed insurmountable. Heath Boffey (38) held his nerve and batted with the lower order striking much needed boundaries.
In the end 12 runs off the last over although possible proved to be difficult to achieve. Heath managed to get the score within 6 runs of victory. In what has gone down as one of the tightest McIntyre finals in history it still is no consolation.
In a week of mixed emotions and excitement I never have been more proud of a Sunbury team. Not only did our team manage to almost just get over the line in an epic battle but held their nerve in the face of the sometimes immature and unnecessary displays of poor sportsmanship in the way our batsmen were given “send offs” by their opponents.
Well done to Jason McGann for not only playing is heart out for his team and club but to show the cricketing public of the GDCA a lesson in sportsmanship and leadership. I call upon the GDCA umpires and officials who were all present and witnesses at the match to address this type of behaviour for the future benefit of all.
You could say in these games you are either first or last however as a club official I always have one eye on the coming years and where this club is heading. As much as it hurts to lose the big one, I know we are on the right track for the future.
I have always worn the Royal Blue cap with pride and never have I been prouder to wear it than last Sunday.
GDCA Presentation
Sunbury captain-coach, Jason McGann has won the Sullivan Medal for season 2013/14. After 12 rounds of voting, McGann was level with Todd Keenan (Wallan) with Andrew Powell a further three votes back but two games of maximum votes in the last two rounds saw McGann win comfortably. Crowd favourite Heath Boffey lead the medal count early and finished equal 5th with 11 points.
At the GDCA Annual Presentation Night, awards were given to the best performances in each grade together with the announcement of the GDCA Team of the Year. Jason McGann after taking out the bowling award with 50 wickets @ 8.82 and the aggregate award with 948 points was also named captain of the GDCA team after an outstanding season. Sunbury’s Brad Hunter was also named in the GDCA Team of the Year as the leading spinner of the competition for the season.
Yours in cricket,
Marty Kelders
SCC Secretary
sunbury cricket club 