STAFF WRITERS
CRICKET
TDCA
EX STUDENTS took out the first premiership on offer in the Traralgon District Cricket Association, defeating Imperials for the Brian Symons Shield, becoming Under 16 champions for the 2022/23 season.
On a very good Terry Hunter Oval wicket, the second-placed Ex Students Bull Sharks were matched up against fourth placed Imperials – who stormed into Sunday’s Grand Final after a gargantuan win in the semi final.
Ex Students won the toss and had no hesitation batting on their home deck, but were quickly a man down at 1/9 thanks to Ashan Keppitipola who removed opening batsman Dylan Smith for one.
Following the first dismissal, it was a real arm wrestle as the Bull Sharks would build a partnership, only for Imperials to then grab a wicket or two and put them back under pressure.
Imperials never lost their focus and continued to do all they could, but some very good batting from Henry Hunter (37), William Smith (40) and William Ambler – who brought the innings home with a well made 37 not out – meant that Ex Students finished 8/183 after their 40-over allotment.
As mentioned before, the tough contest meant that no batsman scored over 40, yet no bowler took more than two wickets for Imperials. Liam Bermingham finished as the best bowler, claiming 2/15.
It was going to be a tough chase for Imperials but Keppitipola went big early, smashing 31 runs from 21 balls, hitting five boundaries and a six from the very first ball of the innings.
Bermingham carried on the momentum, and a superb 42 from wicket keeper Connor Rogalsky had Imperials in a very good position of 4/136.
Push eventually came to shove, and the Sharks willed themselves back into the contest as Imperials lost their next five wickets for just 19 runs, thanks to some accurate bowling and fantastic fielding, which included two run outs.
Eventually time ran out for Imperials and they were bowled out in the final over for 166, 17 runs short of what would have been an amazing victory.
Ex Students’ bowling was very good, but it was young Liam Bastin who changed the game claiming 2/17 – one of those wickets the dangerous Rogalsky.
During the presentations, William Smith was deemed the Player Of The Match.
Ex Students should be very pleased for not only taking out the Brian Symons Shield but also for preparing a wicket which netted just under 350 runs in a game of junior cricket.
The Terry Hunter wicket has copped some criticism this year, but to be able to prepare a deck which created a genuine fight between bat and ball was fantastic, and the TDCA executive was thrilled with the spectacle it produced.
Grinners: Ex Students pose with the premiership shield after receiving their medals.
