GRAND BATTLE LOOMS
PAIN DRIVES GRUBBERS IN QUEST FOR GLORY
DEFEAT in last season’s grand final is driving Ocean Grove and its skipper Jacquie Johnston to go one better.
The Grubbers went through the 2019-20 season undefeated before losing the decider to Irrewarra, with star bat Johnston falling for a golden duck.
A chance for redemption will come on Sunday against East Belmont Deb, with the Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition Division 1 crown on the line.
Johnston, who hit 46 not out in last weekend’s semi-final to get her team through to the decider, said the memories of last season were still with her and her team.
“It’s great playing finals but it’s also very painful when you lose and that has been driving us through the season,” she said.
“We were undefeated last (season) and to lose at the final hurdle was pretty hard. This year we have taken it in our stride. Yes, we have had a couple of losses along the way and we will learn from those losses and be able to develop.
“(It was my) highest score of the season (last week), it is nice to step up in finals. But every week is a different week. Last year I had a wonderful season and went from a rooster to a feather duster in he grand final and got a golden duck.
“You’re only one ball away from failure and you just want to take it as it goes but I am happy with how the ball is coming off the bat.”
Ocean Grove is the only side to have beaten East Belmont this summer, to the tune of 11 runs in Round 5.
While Lions coach Liam Breedveld said his side would be better off playing on turf at Geelong Cricket Ground on Sunday (2pm start) — the Round 5 clash was on hard wicket — Johnston has no fears about the minor premier.
“Obviously (East Belmont has) been otherwise undefeated over the course of the (season) and their reputation could be intimidating for other opposition but we aren’t fazed by them, we aren’t intimidated,” she said.
“We are happy to take them anywhere, anytime. Turf or hard wicket, we are happy to take them on.”