EIGHT balls, two wickets, no runs – Footscray ANA was fast losing traction against Melton Centrals in a thrill-a-minute opening session of the Williamstown and District Cricket Association A2 turf grand final at Loft Reserve at the weekend.
In that over and a bit, ANA lost usually dependable openers David Hubinsky and Harry Halford for ducks and were staring down the barrel in a game they went into as hot favourites.
“I think it had to do with a little bit of nerves,” ANA all-rounder Daryl Veteha said. “There was not a lot they could do. They each copped a good ball.”
ANA’s dressing room became a frenzied place. Daniel Nightingale and Sam Kukucka had no time to assess the situation and were called on to restore calm. They hurriedly kitted up for their rescue mission and succeeded getting a pulse into the innings.
Nightingale made just 11 but was important in seeing off the initial Centrals threat. Kukucka, a player with a century to his name this summer, let his natural instincts take over to make 35.
The uncertainty crept in once more when both were dismissed with the score on 49.
A revival by middle-order batsmen was just what the doctor ordered for ANA – they batted slowly, but steadily, to wear down the Centrals bowlers and were vital in ANA producing a competitive 244 in 114.1 overs. “They pulled it out under immense pressure,” Veteha said. “To finish with 244 after being 2-0 was fantastic for the boys. I’d say we’re slightly in front in the game.”
Veteha (45) and Jamie Wills (27) paired up for a game-changing, 66-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Josh Hines (33) and Tremayne Cooper (18) consolidated further before the tailenders took guard.
For ANA to be content, it needed to score well over 200 and that came through a “priceless” 10th-wicket partnership between developing youngster Nick Lawriw (39) and veteran Noel Stovell (11 not out). Lawriw, inconsistent with the bat but no slouch having twice scored 50s this summer, showed tremendous application at the right time for his club.
“He’s an up and comer with a lot of ability,” Veteha said. “He’s always shown potential. He showed a lot of patience and put away the right ball.”
Centrals have already managed a better return than last time they played ANA, being 3-82 at stumps on day two and still in with a shot of an upset victory.
ANA wants to snuff out their hopes quickly on Saturday’s third day. “A couple of quick wickets in the early overs next week will put the pressure right back on them,” Veteha said. “We’ve got to bowl stump to stump and they’ll play across the line at some point.”
WDCA GRAND FINALS
Day 1 and 2
A1 turf: Williamstown Imperials 142 (O Alsop 42 D Slattery 38) v West Newport 9-228 (O Alsop 4-70 P Hudson 2-45).
A2 turf: Footscray ANA 244 (D Veteha 45 N Lawriw 39 SA Kukucka 35 J Hines 33 J Wills 29) v Melton Centrals 3-82 (J Wills 2-17).
B1 turf: Grand United 7-185 (B Bennett 2-11 L Gretgrix 2-12) v West Newport.
B2 turf: Melton South 70 v Melton Centrals 226 (D Cooper 3-27 T Batten 3-50 M Garwood 2-42) and 9/106 (M Truswell 3-11 G Parker 2-18 M Garwood 2-18).
C composite: Grand United 358 (A Farrier 5-60 P Cambasis 3-63) v Point Cook 1-15.
B grade matting: Tarneit 5-259 (D Sharma 102no C Kavanagh 52 S Singh 39 K Singh 30no) v Melton Centrals 242 (R Pallath 5-51 MS Buttar 2-40).
C grade matting: Wyndhamvale 226 (J Campion 44 C Plummer 42 DG McCarthy 37) v Tarneit 4-73.
The third and fourth days of the grand finals will be played this Saturday and Sunday.
