Tara Murray
It was one of the Williamstown Imperials’ youngest players that stood tall when they needed it, to guide the side to a Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield grand final.
The Imperials were made to work hard for victory against Point Cook in the semi finals on the weekend, with the side claiming an outright win in the end.
Imperials president Michael Skinner was thrilled to see the side win through, having lost only one game for the season.
“I’m very proud to be hosting a grand final as well,” he said. “It was a great win and it was great to see one of the young kids get us over.”
Skinner, who missed parts of the game as he was scoring at his daughter’s semi final, said there were a few nerves.
Point Cook was sent in and quickly found themselves at 4-31.
A 62 run partnership got the Warriors back on track. Disaster then struck, losing their last six wickets for just 11 to be bowled out for 104.
Teriq Worrell took four wickets for the Imperials.
The Warriors bowlers got them back into the game, with the Imperials in trouble at 5-48.
The Imperials put on 20 before losing three quick wickets to slip to 8-72.
The ninth wicket fell when they were three runs behind. The Imperials did enough to get home, bowled out for 114 with a seven run lead.
It was Oscar Florentine that got the side over the line, with a much needed 22.
“Oscar is just 15 and stepped up to get us over the line,” Skinner said.
“It was his breakout game with the bat. He has played with us all year and has kept really well and learned a lot throughout the year.
“He hasn’t had to do a lot with the bat… He was a bit nervous beforehand and me and his dad said this is what finals is about and when you want your chance, go get it.”
Sensing a chance for a reverse outright, the Warriors went back out there on the hunt for quick runs.
They made 8-107 in 15 overs before declaring, leaving the Imperials with 97 for an outright win.
Skinner said they were a bit surprised the Warriors decided to go for the reverse outright in the heat.
“Good on them for putting the pressure back on us,” he said. “The guys went out there and could have shut up shop and not gone for it.
“They were positive from the outset.”
The Imperials finished 4-101 in their second innings.
The Imperials will face Maribyrnong Park St Mary’s in the grand final after it upset Caroline Springs in the other semi final.
Skinner said they thought they would have been facing Caroline Springs in the grand final.
He said despite a different opposition, how they approach the game hasn’t changed
“Their best players has taken nearly 70 wickets for the season and is a danger. We beat them earlier in the year and had a solid win last time.
“I back our guys in on our home deck with our home crowd there as well.”
The Imperials will be going for their first top side premiership since the 2016-17 season.
Skinner said they had made a lot of changes this season which would hopefully set them up for a number of seasons.
“We’re keen to move up the grades,” he said. “There’s a camaraderie in the group and a different feel.
“We’ve bought in players, the right players as well.
“It’s something we can build on in the next three, four, five years.”
