FOOTSCRAY ANA wouldn’t be denied at the third time of asking in the Williamstown and District Cricket Association A2 turf big dance.
A persistent ANA got its hands on a long-awaited flag with a thrilling 67-run victory over Melton Centrals in the season decider at Loft Reserve on Saturday.
Nothing comes easy for ANA. It has taken three long summers of blood, sweat and tears, including two grand finals defeats, to finally arrive at the holy grail.
“It makes it all the sweeter that we’ve come through this time,” ANA top-order batsman Daryl Veteha said of the breakthrough win.
This was a gripping three-day decider. The top-two-ranked sides had spectators on the edge of their seats for the duration. No clear leader emerged after the first weekend, leading to the first hour on day three being the decisive one. ANA needed six wickets to win, Centrals 112 runs – a grandstand finish was on the cards.
The first hour and, by extension, the premiership, belonged to ANA when six wickets fell for just 44 runs.
“It was a fantastic victory for the boys,” Veteha said. “A real team effort. What made it special was the young blokes – they handled the pressure really well and I can tell you it was extreme pressure.”
ANA made a solid start to the game with 244 from 114.1 overs in their first innings. Veteha top-scored with 45, but it was an even batting performance with contributions from Nick Lawriw (39), Sam Kukucka (35), Josh Hines (32) and captain-coach Jamie Wills (29).
Centrals were halted in their tracks for a slow and steady 151 in 90 overs in their first dig to leave ANA with a healthy 93-run lead. The spark returned to the contest when ANA was upended for a mediocre 117 in 71.5 overs, setting up a thrilling finale.
Centrals appeared to be cruising in the home stretch on 0-60. But ANA struck late on the second day with four wickets, creating uncertainty in the Centrals batting order. That extended into the final day when a Kukucka five-for had them all out for 143.
Veteha lauded the tremendous team spirit within his premiership side. “We said before the final that we needed a contribution from all 11 players, whether that be with making your voice heard, in the field or with the ball. We had everyone chipping in; it was a real team effort.”
The champion team was: Jamie Wills (captain-coach), David Hubinsky, Harry Halford, Daniel Nightingale, Sam Kukucka, Daryl Veteha, Josh Hines, Tremayne Cooper, Chris Barry, Nick Lawriw and Noel Stovell.
WDCA grand final:
A2 turf: Footscray ANA 244 (D Veteha 45 N Lawriw 39 SA Kukucka 35 J Hines 33 J Wills 29) and 117 d Melton Centrals 151 (J Wills 2-17) and 143
