Heath Boffey entered the final round of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season having scored 156 runs for the season.
The veteran Sunbury all rounder had batted in a number of different roles, from opening the batting, down to coming in at number 10 throughout the season.
Boffey finished day one of the Roar’s final round match against Lancefield on 77 not out, with his side already having claimed first innings points.
Having never made a century for the Roar, having made his senior debut in 1995, there was a lot of talk around the club during the week about Boffey finally breaking through.
“A few people from the club got into me during the week,” Boffey said.
“Knowing I was on 77 not out during the week, it was a bit nerve-wracking.”
With his parents, partner and children in attendance, Boffey finally got the century he had been after.
He went on to make 155 off 127 balls, beating his previous highest score of 95 not out made 17 years ago.
“It felt really good and we were trying to win the game outright,” he said.
“The young kid I was batting with batted really well and we got off to a good start and the runs kept going.”
Boffey said it was extra special having his family at the game, as they don’t usually attend games.
Boffey has opener Stephen Treweek to partly thank for his century, with the opener having to leave early on day one of the match meaning Boffey was promoted up the order.
“I wasn’t expecting to open with our usual opener having to leave early,” he said.
“If he had have hung around, I wouldn’t have opened the batting.
“We’ve been pushing a few kids up, which meant I’ve been batting down the order. I got another chance with Stevie leaving early.”
Boffey said he thought his form with the bat had been okay all season, he was just going out to good shots before Christmas.
The Roar had to settle for first innings points, with a stubborn Lancefield digging in during their second innings, ending the Roar’s finals chances.
The Roar finished sixth in what has been an up and down season for the club.
“It was a bit disappointing to miss out on finals,” Boffey said.
“With the players we had leave for different reasons throughout the season, we decided to push up some of the kids.
“We had a few play from our under-15s and under-17s and gave them a go in the top grade.”
