Warriors brave despite defeat

MODEWARRE captain Luke Davidson believes Sunday’s grand final loss to Thomson doesn’t tarnish an otherwise successful season.

The Warriors were outgunned by a slick Thomson outfit at West Oval on the weekend.

The loss left Davidson disappointed, but aware they were beaten by the better side.

“You try so hard and come up short it’s always tough, but they (Thomson) have been the yardstick all year so credit to them and the way they go about their cricket,” he said.

“I thought 188 was definitely gettable, but we lost all the key moments. We got off to a good start but then they got their tails up, that put us behind the eight-ball and we were chasing tail from then on.”

Modewarre restricted the Tigers to under 200 — as they have in all their three encounters this season, largely thanks to left-arm spinner Nathan Saunders bowling 38 overs in succession to claim four wickets. Saunders finished with 50 for the season.

Davidson was, however, only able to call upon seamer Jackson O’Hanlon for four overs, with the Warriors skipper declaring O’Hanlon was at around “80 per cent fit” as he still struggled with the effects of a side strain.

Modewarre’s batsman then fell at regular intervals to quash any hopes of breaking the premiership drought.

“Nipper’s (Saunders) year was sensational — for a new recruit to come to the club and do what he’s done is a testament to himself,” Davidson said.

“But I don’t think it (the loss) makes it an unsuccessful year, to make a grand final you’re better than all the other sides bar one. We gave ourselves a good chance, and that’s all I could ask.”