YOU hear it every March: anything can happen in the finals. It is the line rolled out by most top-ranked sides so as to not sound too cocky or provide ammunition for the fourth-ranked team.
Williamstown Congs was that fourth-placed outsider in the Williamstown and District Cricket Association B1 semi-finals at the weekend and executed the perfect smash and grab to topple minor premiers Williamstown Imperials at Greenwich Reserve.
You see, fourth can beat first in the finals. Upsets can happen.
Congs, though, see it from a different viewpoint.
“We knocked off the top side, but we’d like to think it wasn’t too much of an upset,” Congs wicketkeeper Gary Griffen said.
“It was a very good win, an even performance.
“We’re very happy because you don’t get many chances to play in a grand final. You’ll take any chance you can get.”
The Congs restricted Imperials to 151 off 65.3 overs on the opening day.
It’s not a score that screams out at you, but one that was more than competitive in the conditions.
“Even though the wicket was good to bat on, it was tough to score out there,” Griffen said.
“It’s very lush and when you hit the ball along the ground, it slows up quickly, so 150 wasn’t a bad score really.”
Scott Dyson was easily the pick of the Congs bowling attack.
The speedster finished with 5-38 off 12.3 overs.
“He’s a bit of a wild cat,” Griffen said.
“You never know what you’re going to get out of him.
“He’s definitely a wicket-taker, but he can be a bit erratic at times and he’s quite fast.
“If he gets going, he always seems to take a wicket, and he bowled well.”
The Congs breezed to the target five down on the second day.
Nick Callas was the glue that held the innings together with a steady 75 not out.
“Best knock he’s had for the club I would say,” Griffen said.
“He batted right through and ended up hitting the winning runs.”
The Congs will meet Deer Park-Ardeer in the grand final for the right to be promoted to the top flight.
— Lance Jenkinson
