There is no post-mortem needed here. Williamstown CYMs are well aware of where they went wrong in a disappointing west A1 turf cricket grand final defeat to Sunshine United at Langshaw Reserve at the weekend.
According to CYs veteran Andrew Leetet, it’s simple.
“We just didn’t perform with the bat,” he said. “You can’t get bowled out for 107 and 88 and expect to win a grand final.”
It was a shock to see the CYs batting form desert them on the biggest occasion of the season.
This is a side that boasts four top-10 batsmen with more than 350 runs each.
No other side in the competition has that kind of firepower.
One by one they fell on days one and two, leaving a mere 19 runs required for United to secure victory on the third day.
A number of factors contributed to the CYs’ downfall with the bat.
“It was probably a combination of good bowling, [poor] shot-making and pressure,” Leetet said.
The CYs had the confidence in the pitch to bat first on day one after winning the toss.
It was a decision they would rue after being skittled for 107 in just 39 overs.
Janaka Siriwardana (33) and skipper Paul Russ (32) were the leading scorers amidst a roll-call of batting failures.
United was only marginally better with the willow, making 147, but its 30-run first-innings lead would be crucial in a low-scoring affair.
Leetet, with 4-33 off 26.2 overs, and Andrew Walshe, 3-35 off 14, kept CYs in the contest.
But dreams of a premiership all but evaporated when they were bowled out for 88 in just 42.4 second innings overs.
Siriwardana (41) was the only CYs batsmen to fire, with tailender Walshe the second top-scorer with 13 not out.
“He really put his head down and batted very well,” Leetet said of Siriwardana. “He’s definitely a class act.”
One United bowler will live in the nightmares of the CYs’ batsmen.
Chief destroyer Michael Glowacki took 7-39 in the second innings to finish with 10 wickets for the match.
“He’s the best bowler we’ve come up against,” Leetet said. “His effort on the Sunday put them in a winning position.”
CYs never waved the white towel, fighting all the way to the bitter end.
They had a glimmer of hope when United was in trouble at 4-10, but the underdogs steadied to go on to win by five wickets.
Leetet was sad to see his final first XI game end in defeat but proud that his teammates never gave up.
The 42-year-old will pass the new ball to the next generation, going out at the top of his game after a 46-wicket season, including 13 in the finals.
Leetet has played 20 years in the VTCA, including six seasons at Hoppers Crossing and 14 at CYs, and plans to stick around the club to help with junior development. He might even play the odd game in the lower XIs.
“It’s been really enjoyable and I’ve been able to do everything – captained, coached, won a flag and taken a few wickets,” Leetet said.
“It’s a good bunch of blokes at CYs and I’ll definitely stay around to help them out.”
