Batson brothers dismantle Drouin in A Grade COVID Cup final

A Grade:
Western Park 2/57 def Drouin 56
A scintillating bowling performance has seen Western Park trounce arch-rivals Drouin to claim the COVID Cup on Sunday.

Bowling first on a deck that promised prominent seam, Sam Batson removed danger-man Jordan Wyatt in the first over to set the tone for the day.

The Warriors quickly found the ascendancy, as Josh Maric (2) and Cam McPhan (11) were dismissed soon after, as the match was left teetering on a knife’s edge at 3-40.

With the match poised to lean either way, Sam Batson proved yet another over of magic, claiming the scalps of Sam Van Der Zalm (8), Sam Wyatt (0), Jack McConville (0) and Troy Lehman (0) in the space of just six balls to send the Hawks crashing to 7-41.

The spell essentially ended the Hawks’ chances as Trevor Gardiner (21) battled hard to resuscitate the innings, Batson (6-16) and Joel Batson (3-13) were able to mop up the remaining wickets in quick time, as Drouin were bundled out for just a paltry 56.

With the match all but over, Drouin battled to gain something out of the second innings, they took the wickets of Sanjaya Gangodawila (15) and Jack Armour (9) to keep their dream alive, but Joel Batson (15*) and Leigh Diston (13*) grinded out the remaining runs to see Western Park to the first pennant of the new season. 

B Grade:
Western Park 2/228 def Longwarry 8/226
One of the most exciting games of cricket you’ll ever wish to see, saw an unbelievable climax that whisked Western Park to an unbelievable victory.

Bowling first, the Warriors, through Kyle Baker (2-47) started strong, before Ben Perry and Dom Pullen dominated the young attack.

Pullen made a fine 37 before being dismissed, however Perry continued on his merry way, punching the ball to all parts with the support of Shayne Gillings (36).

Perry batted throughout the majority of the innings, the star-man from Casey reaching triple figures, finishing with 108 as he pushed his side above 200.

In a chaotic climax to the innings, including a third hat-trick in two seasons from young gun Matt Garner (4-34) saw the Crows stumble slightly, as they finished with an imposing 8-226 off their allotted overs. 

In reply, Sam McMillan and Jack Barnes quickly went to work, but it was several missed chances from the away side that proved to be the difference.

A multitude of missed runouts saw both survive, as McMillan slaughtered the Longwarry attack, making a brisk 90 before being run out.

With the ascendancy just back in Longwarry’s favour, another run-out off the bowlers’ hand removed Adam Feltham (11), as Ben Perry and Jonah Serong strangled the Warriors batting.

With the end nigh and Western Park struggling to score, 30 runs required off the last 2 overs seemed too big a mountain to climb.

In stepped Tyler McMillan, a fantastic penultimate over sent the game right to the death, and with five required off the final two balls, Jack Barnes, perhaps the epitome of clutch, sent the ball rocketing over the fence, the man of the hour sending the Warriors’ fans into raptures as he finished 88 not out and won the game and the flag for his side.