Exert from Star Weekly by Tara Murray…….
Sunbury Cricket Club’s Brendan Doyle told son Nathan he would return to the sport when the boy was old enough to play senior cricket.
And on Saturday, after a couple of games together earlier in the season in the Gisborne and District G-grade competition, they played a game they’ll never forget … both made centuries.
“I always said that when he got to the point of playing senior cricket, I would play again,” Brendan said.
Nathan, 14, joined his father at the crease against Sunbury United when the score was 3-64.
“We were chasing 190 against the second-top side and we’d lost outright the week before,” Brendan said.
“There was a fair bit of pressure on the side. We [he and Nathan] set the target of getting to the next drinks break.
“We got to 90 and then the tea break. Each session we set a new goal. We helped each other out there and he spoke to me when I played loose shots.”
The pair passed the score of 190 to get the six points and Brendan scored his second century of the season.
He departed for 142 in what was meant to be the last over of the day, after a partnership of 198.
“We had decided stumps was going to be at 5.30pm even though there was 10 overs to go,” Brendan said.
“I got out on the second ball of the over. From the last ball of the over Nathan hit a six to go to 95. Credit to Sunbury United, they kept playing to give him the opportunity to score his 100.”
Brendan said there were some pretty nervous moments watching Nathan trying to get the runs needed to get his maiden century.
“It took him three overs to get them, and I have never been so nervous in my life,” he said “It’s a very proud moment..”
Brendan said the reaction from Sunbury had been massive. “I’m led to believe it’s the first time it’s happened at the club and possibly the competition,” he said.
“Everyone was congratulating us, at the club and on social media. It’s unbelievable.”
sunbury cricket club 