Tara Murray
Lancefield made it a premiership double in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association, after its men’s side claimed the division 2 title.
The club’s women’s side had already claimed the inaugural GDCA women’s premiership, and the men joined in the action beating Bacchus Marsh in the grand final.
Tigers captain Matt Bowden said it was pretty special to get the premiership.
“Last season the boys won the premiership by default due to COVID-19,” he said.
“Most of those players are back this season and we’ve now won it again. It’s nice to actually get out there and win the premiership.”
The Tigers were one of the favourites heading into the season, with some experienced players returning, headlined by Bowden.
They had wanted to play in a higher division, but the GDCA decided that they would play in division 2 and continue to work their way back up the ranks.
Bowden said there had been some challenges on the field.
“We would have liked to have been a couple of grades higher,” he said.
“There were some challenging games and we lost to Blackwood in the second last match.
“It was the wake up call we needed towards the back end of the season. It was our only loss for the season.”
The Tigers made 8-155 in the grand final with Luke Harrison top scoring with 31 not out.
Bowden said they were more than happy with that total.
“Bacchus Marsh is a really good side,” he said.
“We thought anything over 130 would be a good score, so we were happy with 155.
“Earlier, I thought we would be lucky to get 100. Glenn Caton and Luke Harrison got the runs ticking over.”
Bowden said Bacchus Marsh started well with the bat and were on top half way through the innings.
The Tigers then got going with the ball.
“It was definitely still up in the air at drinks,” he said.
“They were in front at the 18th over. We bowled a couple of good overs and got some key wickets and it went from there.
“A lot of the guys have played in finals before and they played to their strengths.”
The Bulls were bowled out for 89 with five overs remaining.
Samuel Taylor took 3-4 off his three overs. Bowden, Harrison and Andrew Richardt took two wickets each.
Bowden said the premiership capped off a pretty special season for the club.
“It has been a great year for Lancefield with the year it has been with COVID,” he said.
“We didn’t even know if we would get a season.”
Bowden said they were hoping next year to go up a grade or two next season, to give themselves a new challenge.
