DEER Park-Ardeer are the kings of the Williamstown and District Cricket Association B1 turf jungle.
The Lions are roaring with delight after annihilating Williamstown Congs by an innings and 79 runs in the grand final at Greenwich Reserve, wrapping up the premiership on Saturday before the wet weather set in.
The 20th and final wicket sparked celebrations that will last long into the week.
“It’s a bit of a blur,” Lions playing president Milenko Beljac said of the frenzied scenes following the game. “We had about 50 people run on to the ground to congratulate us. It was a feeling of excitement and relief, something you’ll never forget. [We’re] a group of blokes who will be friends for life, a bond that will last a lifetime.”
The Lions were impeccable during the finals.
The second-ranked side ousted St John’s in a brutal fashion in the semi-finals then repeated the dose on the Congs in the one-sided season decider.
Beljac pinpointed two factors behind the run to the flag. The Lions’ leaders set out clear weekly targets which were met more often than not. And the playing group was empowered to have its say in the goal-setting
“The guys craved that direction, communication and leadership,” Beljac said. “But the goals set out were a club effort. We gave the blokes the onus so they had ownership over the decisions.”
The Lions made a bold move in deciding to bowl first on day one in pristine batting conditions, a punt that paid handsome dividends with the Congs out for 81.
The Lions wanted to kill the game off with the bat and notching 306 went a long way to doing that.
Openers Beljac (40) and Michael Szulikowski (50) set the foundations for their side to pass the total one down.
Then wicketkeeper Graeme Bennett put the icing on the cake with an entertaining 97.
“He brought his runs up very quickly, but by the same token he played every ball on its merits,” Beljac said.
The Lions ripped into the Congs batting line-up again late on day two.
They had them in trouble on 3-40, which was effectively four-for with an injury to one of the top-order batsmen.
Seven wickets was all the Lions needed on the third day and they did it in quick time.
Suvada wrapped up the match with 5-75 off 29 overs to go with three first innings wickets.
