Skipper spins a new tune as seamer Dalton seals title
WITH a third straight GPS cricket first XI title on the line and his ace trio of spinners out of overs, The Southport School skipper Hugo Burdon turned to Matt Dalton.
After their batsmen did it tough at Ipswich Grammar’s home base on Saturday, the equation was quite simple: The hosts needed 11 to win off the last over with one wicket in hand. TSS needed to successfully defend their total of 8-181 to secure the silverware. Enter Dalton.
The seamer spent the first half of the season in the second XI but grabbed his opportunity for promotion with both hands when Burdon was struck down with tonsillitis.
With figures of 0-18 from six overs, Dalton was entrusted with the death bowling responsibility and repaid his skipper’s faith by having Ipswich No.9 Mitchell Harsant sky the first ball of the over to backward point, where Ky Newitt made no mistake to put the premiership beyond doubt.
“He has definitely been through a lot and I think he just has the attitude where he holds his nerve,” Burdon said of his decision to hand the ball to Dalton.
“It doesn’t matter what time of the game it is, he always does his job.”
For a long while, it looked as if TSS might have to count on other results next weekend, with Ipswich reaching 3-107 at one stage before the spinners Newitt, Jack Sinfield and Peter Lynch tightened the screws, taking 0-22, 1-21 and 3-41 off their respective 10over spells.
“It definitely was a good feeling,” said Burdon, who admitted there was an element of over-trying in his side’s display.
“It’s been a year where it hasn’t all been going our way but we have just found a way, so that’s good.”
Burdon credited the coaching staff as well as fill-in captain Tom Watts, who oversaw three wins while he was sidelined.
On the batting front, Cody Durante and Matt Manley’s 90-run fourth-wicket partnership held the TSS innings together.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Durante’s 51 marked his third half-century of the season but for Manley, his knock of 36 was a timely return to form after averaging just 6.5 through the first seven rounds.
“Matty Manley has struggled really all season,” said coach Ross Wallace.
“I have had enough faith in Matt and I have spoken to Matt a number of times throughout the season … I know he has got the ability and I just needed him to back himself.
“He only got 36 but what he did was what I know he can do and it was great to see him do that.”
TSS have a Round 9 bye next weekend.