Loeb instrumental in Gr Island’s dominance
SOONER or later Green Island’s dominance will come to an end.
Maybe when veteran seamer Dion Lobb finally retires or when the vastly experienced allrounder Mark Joyce calls it quits.
But one thing is for sure, the Swamp Rats remain the best team in the competition.
The defending champion had the Bing Harris Shield in the bag a couple of weeks ago and the team was able to drift through the final two matches safe in the knowledge the coveted trophy would remain with the club.
Since the turn of the century, Green Island has collected 10 senior banners, including six titles from 200708 to 201314.
Lobb has been instrumental in the club’s success. He picked up his 800th wicket for the senior side this season.
The 37yearold remains the most deadly bowler in the competition. Before the final round got under way, Lobb had taken 47 wickets at an average of 14.55.
He had a fivewicket buffer at the top of the table for the leading wickettakers and is a sure bet for club bowler of the year at the Dunedin Cricket Association awards this week.
Christi Viljoen was fourth on the list with 37 wickets at 13.11, while Blair Soper was sixth with 32 and 15.75 and Joyce eighth with 30 at 15.50.
‘‘The bowling was the key, really,’’ coach Alun Kennedy said.
‘‘We had four guys in the top 10 and the guys chipped in with the bat when they needed.’’
Joyce got himself into the top 10 with 421 runs. Geordie Scott
pipped him in eighth place with 426 runs, while opener Gregor Croudis was the secondleading scorer in the competition with 580 runs.
Only CarisbrookDunedin toporder batsman Camden Hawkins had scored more runs with 705 runs at an average of 58.75.
But the other key factor for
Green Island was its experience.
‘‘When times are tough that’s when that experience comes through,’’ Kennedy said.
‘‘But we are always looking to develop and have young players coming through because once these guys go, there is a massive hole to fill.
‘‘But the good thing is the second grade team just won the junior Bing Harris and the oneday competition as well, so it shows we have good depth at the club.’’
Kennedy will not be back next season. He is taking a break after ‘‘six or seven years’’ so he can watch his son play cricket.
But he promised Green Island has not seen the last of him yet.
The team finished the season with a comprehensive win on Saturday, bowling Albion out for 77 after setting a target of 212.
Lobb, Soper and Viljoen took three wickets apiece, while Viljoen topscored with 74.
In other games, Sean Eath
orne scored 143 to help Carisbrook Dunedin through to 250 for seven, before it bowled out North East Valley for 109.
Meanwhile, Kaikorai scored 227 before Jeremy Smith and Ryan Whelan took four wickets each to bowl Taieri out for 66.
A All stats were accurate before the last round.