Tara Murray
Altona Sports didn’t know what to expect in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association this season.
Having moved their top two sides across to the competition from the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association in the search of two-day cricket, both sides made it through to grand finals in their first season in the competition.
On Sunday, both ended up winning premierships to complete the successful move.
Sports president Liam Brennan said it was pretty incredible to have the season that they’ve had.
“We didn’t expect anything,” he said. “To pretty much lose one game for the year and get the premiership, it’s been a lot bigger than we thought.
“Two teams going into the competition to play two-day competition. It is unbelievable to have two teams get premierships.”
The top side which was searching for back-to-back premierships beat Donnybrook to claim the Graham Muir Shield.
After losing two early wickets, Sports were able to settle and make 191, bowled out in the 63rd over.
Brennan, who captained the first XI, said they believed that was enough runs to get the win.
“James Hynes, who was the man of the match, was unbelievable with his knock,” he said.
“He made 92 last week, we’ve given him the nickname Mr March.
“We’re pretty confident with our bowlers. We’ve got four unreal bowlers and anything is defendable with them.”
Hynes finished with 74 off 86 balls, including hitting eight fours and one six.
Donnybrook was quickly in trouble at 2-8.
Donnybrook showed some resistance, but the Sports bowlers continued to attack and Donnybrook was bowled out for 116 in the 38th over, giving Altona Sports the premiership.
“Our opening bowlers Tomas Harrison and Lucas O’Neill got their key man out early and the two spinners came on and finished them off,” Brennan said.
“Prashant Krishna who has taken 300 wickets for the club, took a four fa, after taking six wickets the previous week.”
The second XI beat East Coburg.
East Coburg made 146 bowled out in the 57th over. While there were a few nerves, Sports got the job done, finishing 8-147 in the 61st over.
Brennan said there’s only more good things to come for the club with the club already looking towards the future.
“We’ll go up a division and we’re also looking at turf options as well,” he said. “We haven’t had turf in 20 years and it’s something we need to look at for the future.”
