Bill West
In a high-drama Jensen Shield grand final, Hanging Rock cricketers overcame Rupertswood via a courageous unbeaten ninth-wicket partnership of 47 runs.
It’s the highest level Gisborne District Cricket Association premiership won by ‘The Rock’ in the modern era.
Largely dominated by bowlers, the grand final was played over the weekend on the Lancefield ground with ‘The Rock’ attempting to go through the season unbeaten.
Rupertswood batted first on Saturday, and despite some promising starts, the bowlers had the answers.
With Steven Zubrycki leading the way with 5-23, Rupertswood was dismissed for 123 from 48 overs.
‘The Rock’ captain and star batter Brandon Nicholls, with over 750 runs to his credit this season, sustained a broken thumb which meant he did not open the innings in pursuit of a moderate tally.
Rupertswood struck quickly with the new ball, dismissing both openers, and it was 16-year-old Oliver Watt who came to the rescue with an array of strokes that carried him into the 40s.
On Sunday morning ‘The Rock’ resumed when Watt was run out for 48 via a brilliant throw from the cover fieldsman.
The big question mark was would the injured Nicholls bat, and if so, when?
From 4/73 wickets tumbled and the run rate dried up.
The fielding side appealed loudly for LBW decisions, and piled on the pressure with long spells from the pacemen.
Nicholls came to the crease, and saw two teammates dismissed. At 8/80, Rupertswood appeared to be in the box seat.
Coach Jarrod Milsom, an allrounder, joined Nicholls and extremely slowly the required margin was reduced.
Growing in confidence, Nicholls punished some short deliveries and Milsom also scored runs.
The tension was extreme as a couple of half chances were spilt.
Nicholls hit the winning boundary amid jubilation from ‘The Rock’ players and supporters.
In the final tally of 8/127 he was 27 n.o. and Milsom was unbeaten on 20.
GDCA president Richard Bayly presented the premiership cup and medallions, and announced Milsom was man of the match.
Bayly commended both sides on a grand final that could have gone either way.
Lancefield Cricket Club was thanked for making its ground available at short notice, and ‘The Rock’ president Peter Walsh congratulated the premiers and all who had supported the club.
Walsh also said it was a pity the grand final could not be played at ‘The Rock’ where a large market was being held on Saturday.
“We deserved the right to play on our own ground,” he said, criticising the shire council.
