Batson leads Pride to championship
Warragul District Cricket Association young guns Sam Batson (Western Park), Jack Armour (Buln Buln), James Williams and Sam Whibley (Hallora) were part of the triumphant Gippsland Pride side that won Sunday’s Victorian Country Cricket League under 21 championship.
The Pride defeated North East in an enthralling contest.
Playing at the picturesque Tallarook Cricket Ground in Victoria’s Seymour district, Gippsland Pride batted first and looked to be heading home early, after a top order collapse of epical proportions saw them in dire straits at 5/23.
The day was saved thanks to a match saving partnership of 55 between Perry Hill (36*), and Morgan Murray-Williams (38*), which in addition to Batson’s gritty 27 earlier in the day gave the Gippslander’s a sporting chance with the ball.
Defending 142 would take a mighty effort, and the Pride side were up to the challenge, with a fielding master class of the highest echelon seeing them prevail to record a 22-run victory and be crowned Victorian under 21 champions.
Batson backed up his heroics with the bat to finish with 2/11, along with James Williams who claimed one scalp, while Jack Armour was clean in the field, effecting two catches.
Players were happy to celebrate their unlikely premiership, which came as a result of Barwon region forfeiting their position in the final after it was revealed that they had fielded an ineligible player in the qualifying rounds.
Coaches and management who had made the long journey north were also part of the success, in particular Anthony Battista, David Armour, Greg Membrey, Helen Barnes and Andrew McMahon.