Atherton dream of dynasty
One-day, T20 titles set up a 30-year party
The dream of an Atherton treble in their 30th anniversary season in the Cairns competition is within reach after the Tableland side captured Cricket Far North’s one-day and T20 titles. The grand weekend started with a dominant four-wicket win against defending premiers Mulgrave in the one-day decider on Saturday before digging deep and fighting back to win the T20 final against Norths at Griffiths Park yesterday.
THE dream of an Atherton treble in their 30th anniversary season in the Cairns competition is within reach after the Tableland side captured Cricket Far North’s one-day and T20 titles.
The grand weekend started with a dominant four-wicket win against defending premiers Mulgrave in the one-day decider on Saturday before digging deep and fighting back to win the T20 final against Norths at Griffiths Park yesterday.
Even some Atherton players had given up on the T20 decider, with 22 needed from 12 balls and only three in the shed, until crafty Michael Salerno stepped up with the bat to lead his side to victory, less than 24 hours after his 5-20 helped skittle the Toads.
Atherton captain Peter Sceresini was one who had his doubts after letting Norths hit “30 too many” in the T20 final but always had faith.
“The boys, we come together, come up with a plan and we stick together no matter what,” he said.
“It was always the plan to bowl first, see what they got, know how we’ve got to go and back our depth.”
Sceresini said knowing the improvement still left in the squad was a confidence boost as they pushed for a spot in the two-day final, which is played over four days.
“People would come out of the woodwork to come and watch if we were in the final and if we won that, (celebrations) could go for a couple of weeks. The four-dayer is the one that means the most.
“I think we’ve won two before but never won the triple so we’ll be gunning for it and hopefully we’ll be coming good at the right end of the season,” he said.
“The top order hasn’t been doing a lot lately so for the middle order to have done what they did this weekend and since the Christmas break gives us a massive boost.”
Sceresini paid tribute to Michael Salerno’s coolness under pressure, which could come in handy with the treble in their sights.
Salerno, said he was glad to play a part in keeping the dream alive for a passionate fanbase. He said while both wins were special, beating Mulgrave in the one-day final was huge for the team psyche heading into the pointy end of the two-day season.
“That’s two in a row now we’ve beaten them so it does give the boys a lot of confidence they are beatable. They’re such a good cricket side and we respect them a lot and at the end of the day they’re the team to beat so it was good to get one up on them,” Salerno said.
Atherton will play bottom two sides United and Barron in the final fixtures of the twoday season leading into the finals and could sneak into top spot if Mulgrave stumble against desperate finals contenders Norths and Rovers.
I THINK WE’VE WON TWO BEFORE BUT NEVER WON THE TREBLE SO WE’LL BE GUNNING FOR IT AND HOPEFULLY WE’LL BE COMING GOOD AT THE RIGHT END OF THE SEASON ATHERTON’S PETER SCERESINI