Liam Durkin
Gippsland Cricket League
A stunning collapse from Traralgon secured Sale-Maffra an unlikely premiership in Sunday’s Gippsland Cricket League final at Ted Summerton Reserve Moe, after the Tornadoes appeared to be cruising toward not only the title but also inflicting the Sharks with their first loss of the tournament.
With heavy downpours across Gippsland the day before, the final was pushed back to a noon start with the match reduced to 46 overs per side.
Upon winning the toss, Traralgon sent Sale-Mafrra in, with the bowlers finding early success when Rohan Blandford snicked off early, followed by Lee Hopkins who played a shot he would probably like to take back.
At the other end Zac Hurley hung around for a number of overs, with the youngster clobbering two maximums during his innings of 22.
Traralgon’s medium pace duo of Tom Shippen and Adam Brady kept things simple during their spells, and collected seven wickets between them.
Shippen bowled out and took 3-32, whilst Brady was masterful in his execution, taking 4-18 which included a magnificent delivery that left Sale-Maffra batsman Brad Scott late and just kissed the outside edge, along with a quick reflex caught and bowled to see the back of Hurley.
At 5-63, the Sharks appeared to be headed for an early tea, however, Jack Tatterson was able to farm some of the strike with the lower order, as he remained not out on 35 to see Sale-Maffra post 125 from 41 and a half overs.
Traralgon captain Lee Stockdale picked up 3-18 from 8.3 overs and would have been roundly pleased with the effort of his bowlers, in keeping Sale-Maffra to a score that was well below par.
With the title at stake, both sides appeared calm as they re-entered the arena after the break.
Sale-Maffra’s hopes rested on them securing a few early wickets and when two catches were put down early, warning bells rang loudly.
Traralgon openers Adrian Burgiel and Michael Stockdale had their side off to a fast start, getting to 44 without loss in the space of seven overs, with Burgiel being typically brutal on the bowling, with 30 of his 32 runs coming in boundaries, as he smashed six fours and a six during his 24-ball stay.
With Traralgon seemingly in complete control, Jack Rietschel found a way through to claim the wicket of Burgiel, which set in motion a procession of wickets as the Tornadoes self destructed.
From 1-44 Traralgon lost 4-20, as Brad Scott recovered from an earlier pounding to claim the wickets off Michael Stockdale and Jordan Gilmore to swing momentum back the Sharks way, whilst Dylan Bolton’s wicket of Lee Stockdale just before drinks had the Sharks rejoicing.
Following the interval, Bolton struck again, before Jack Tatterson found himself on a hat-trick at the other end after getting Rick Battista leg before and Danny Revis caught in the slips.
With the dismissal of Battista nothing was going right for Traralgon and as the unfortunate batsman played back to a short of a length ball that virtually rolled along the ground.
At 7-65 onlookers could hardly believe their eyes as Sale-Maffra closed in on victory.
Down the order Traralgon batmen Shippen and James Pryde did their best to take the game deep, but could not quite get over the line.
Sale-Maffra bowler Charlie Morrison picked up a wicket late as his three-over spell consisted of either yorkers or full tosses.
With Traralgon needing 21 to win with one wicket in hand, Jack Rietschel finished what he had started, and broke through Shippen’s defence to give Sale-Maffra their 19th senior Gippsland Cricket League title and third in four seasons.
Sale-Maffra captain Jack Tatterson was awarded the man of the match for his 35 not out and 2-16.
Both teams will lock horns again next week, as Melbourne Country Week begins on February 18.
