WDCA are Country Week champions

Warragul and District Cricket Association finished champions in division three of Melbourne Country Week cricket, remaining undefeated to comfortably claim the title. Round 1 Warragul won their opening match against Seymour, chasing down the 128 runs needed in 35 overs.

An all-round team bowling performance highlighted the Wild Dogs’ dominance, as Troy Lehman (3-22), Sam Batson (2-28), Nuwan Perera (2-23) and James Williams (212) all contributed.

With the bat, Ben Spicer scored a brisk 32 whilst Fraser Duncan made a more conservative one to see Warragul enjoy the victor’s spoils. Round 2 In the following match, it was all about Sanjaya Gangodawila, as the opener smashed both the ball and the enthusiasm of the Hamilton bowlers, scoring 151 from just 115 balls to have a strike rate of 131.

Gangodawila combined with Ben Spicer as the pair put on 102 for the opening wicket, with Spicer making 37 from 42.

The best cricketer in Gippsland Gamini Kumara scored 26 to help the score along, whilst Jack Armour batted in unfamiliar territory against a non-moving ball to make an uncharacteristic 26 from 31, which included two fours and plenty of cheeky singles as Warragul made 310 thanks to an atrocious 32 extras from their opponents.

In reply Hamilton got nowhere near the target, and found themselves 4-23 with the game all but done and dusted early.

Englishman Max Kelly has enjoyed a breakout season and after being rewarded with a Country Week gig took 2-18, whilst Gangodawila finished with 2-10 to round off a day he won’t forget any time soon. Round 3 Warragul made it an unbeaten run with victory over the South West Cricket Association in round three, to give themselves the best possible run into the semifinal.

Despite the fact division three bordered on farcical as there were places for four teams in the finals and only four teams in the competition, the Wild Dogs confidence would have no doubt been high as they had secured points over all opponents.

Batting first, Warragul closed at 5-205 with Fraser Duncan making 56 and Corey Jagoe making 33 not out.

Nuwan Perera was the standout, striking a clean 65 not out from just 44 balls, sending two bombs over the fence in the process.

With the ball, Warragul shot out South West for just 107, as the match ended in the 32nd over.

Hussain Ali was the best performed bowler for Warragul, taking 3-8, whilst Brad Glover (227) and James Williams (2-1) also got in on the act. Semi Final Warragul avoided the embarrassment of losing to the team that hadn’t won a match throughout the entire week, when they accounted for Hamilton in what was arguably a pointless semi-final.

With only four teams in division three, Warragul mounted a justifiable case to have rest day and play the final between the top two teams on the Friday, but were knocked back.

In the semi-final Warragul were sent in and were in a spot of bother early, with the scoreboard reading 5-76.

Danny Sheehan used his experience to rescue the Wild Dogs, scorching a quick-fire 62 from 63 balls as he and James Vela put on 126 for the sixth wicket.

Vela continued along, smashing four sixes as he made a whirlwind 108 from 88 balls before Max Kelly hit-and-ran late with a handy 20 to see Warragul post 290.

In reply, Hamilton caused some nervous moments, and at 4-160 were well and truly in with a chance.

However, they then proceeded to lose 3-19 to be all out for 218.

Best bowlers for Warragul were Troy Lehman (2-47), Brad Spicer (2-2) and James Williams, who knows a thing or two about taking wickets, finishing with 3-47. Grand Final A round one rematch against Seymour awaited Warragul in the Wild Dogs’ quest for their first Country Week title since 2012-13, which in the interim had seen them come runners up on two separate occasions in 2013-14 and 2016-17.

Upon winning the toss and electing to bat, Jack Armour kept supporters on edge with some brilliant forward defenses and nudges off his hip, as he scored 29 at the top of the order.

Captain Fraser Duncan saw off some early new ball bowling as well in his innings of 42.

Warragul were in a precarious position at 5106, but were saved thanks to a handy 22 from Corey Jagoe and an unbeaten 44 down the order from Hussain Ali.

The Wild Dog batsmen were happy to give most of the strike to the Messiah Gamini Kumara, who, not for the first time, stood up when it mattered most, making 66 from 59 balls, which included four sixes.

After compulsory close Warragul made a strong 7-240 to put themselves in a good position at the break.

With the ball, Warragul got off to a promising start, securing a wicket early before a second wicket partnership of 72 from Seymour caused a few headaches.

However, a double wicket team strike from the Wild Dogs saw their opponents fall to be 4-106 as the lower order could not put up much of a fight.

Three run outs highlighted a savage Warragul outfit in the field, as Seymour were bowled out for 174, well short of the victory target.

Troy Lehman took 2-35, along with Nuwan Perera who nabbed 3-34 as the Warragul team celebrated a well-fought premiership.

With the Wild Dogs under 16s and under 18s both winning their GCL titles a fortnight ago, the head honchos at Warragul District will have plenty of reason to celebrate as an association in season 2018-19.