Tara Murray
Hanging Rock handled everything that was thrown at it to complete the perfect Gisborne and District Cricket Association Jensen Shield season.
Wet weather meant a delayed start to the season and when flooding left their home ground unable, the Heelers spent before Christmas on the road.
The results continued to go the Heelers way on the way to a grand final against Rupertswood on the weekend.
Rupo made the Heelers fight hard in the grand final, but couldn’t stop them completing an undefeated season.
Coach Jarrod Milsom said they were amazed by the success that they’ve had this season.
“It’s been an amazing season and what we’ve done from the start to the end,” he said.
“We’ve had 23-24 players throughout the year and it’s only been the last six to eight weeks we’ve had better player availability and we’ve settled the team from there.”
On Saturday, Rupertswood made 123, bowled out in 48 overs.
Milsom said they were happy to have kept Rupertswood to that total.
Early on day two, the Heelers looked in control of the match, at 3-66.
The tide them turned with Rupo getting back into the game.
“At one stage we were 8-70 and the game got really close,” he said. “We weren’t planning on it getting that close.”
Heelers skipper Brandon Nicholls, who had a broken bone in his hand, was still at the crease, giving them some hope.
A knock of 48 not out helped guide his side to victory, with two wickets in hand.
Milsom said the effort of Nicholls this season had been amazing.
“He has had a phenomenal season making about 900 runs,” he said.
“He’s averaging about 100 each time he’s been at the crease. To have a guy like that still at the crease you know that you can still win it.”
Milsom said that the group had been able to handle everything thrown at them and were really flexible as they were unable to be at their home ground.
Now with the premiership in their hands, there could be more for the Heelers in the future with the club keen to continue to develop the program.
“One of the goals when I first started coaching about four years ago was to provide somewhere for all the kids coming through,” he said.
“We set the goals high and said that anything was possible.
“The club was in club north five seasons ago and maybe we’ll be in Johnstone Shield next year.”
Milsom said being in the second tier competition would benefit the club and allow it to recruit players easier.
