Tara Murray
Sunbury’s batting woes returned at the worst time, proving costly in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 grand final.
Having finally found form with the bat in its past two matches to firstly make finals and then the grand final, the Roar was full of confidence entering the grand final against Grand United on the weekend.
The Roar won the toss at JR Parsons Reserve and decided to have a bat on Saturday.
Last week’s star Paul Webber was out for a duck, while Lachlan Treweek soon followed him back to the sheds.
The Roar lost another wicket, before Kevin Barker and captain Stephen Treweek were both run out when the score was on 68, leaving the side 5-68.
The older heads of Jason McGann and Jace Carton steadied the side slightly and pushed the score towards 100.
Both lost their wickets in quick succession just before the team reached triple figures and the tail didn’t last long.
The Roar was bowled out for a disappointing 120 in the 42nd over.
Barker top scored with 32, while Sajith Kalumpriya made 21.
Sam Crea and Ben Doll took three wickets each for the Gorillas, while there was three run outs which Grand United president Alan Hale said changed the match.
The Roar needed early wickets if there was any chance of coming away with the win.
They got one, but that was it.
The Gorillas quickly moved to 1-74 going at about five runs an over. The Gorillas lost three quick wickets to give the Roar some hope.
That would be the last wickets for the day, with the Gorillas finishing the day at 4-149 in just 35 overs.
The Roar decided they didn’t think there would be a of victory on day two, so the match ended and the Gorillas were awarded the premiership.
Hale said with a number of good batters still in the shed, they believed the result was only going to go one way even if they played on into the second day.
The Roar tried everything in the field, using 10 bowlers including wicketkeeper Kalumpriya. Brad Hunter took two wickets, while McGann took one wicket.
Jayden Powell-White was named man of the match for his 47.
The grand final appearance caps off a successful season for the Roar, but one without a premiership.
Its inaugural under-18 team in the VTCA made the grand final, losing to Melton. The second XI also made a semi final.
