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OKCC Grand Final Match Report
Monday, 13 March 2023
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Unfortunately, the cards didn’t fall the OKCC’s* way in the Jack Pace Shield (JPS) Grand Final last Sunday, as the team went down to Aloys in a hard fought game of cricket. Match Report from Lachlan Fenwick (OKG13) I lost the toss again and we were in the field first up. Charlie Bangs (OKG07) (1/31 off 7) and I kept it pretty tight in the early stages and Charlie was rewarded with the first wicket after a great catch from Tim Lazarus (OKG14) at mid-on. Tom Bangs (OKG07) (1/22) and Jack Stocks (OKG13) (4/31 off 7) were our first change bowlers and both bowled with great skill and accuracy. Bowling to two set batsmen who were playing super aggressively, they pegged them back and got us right back in the game. Stocksy's spell was especially fantastic, as he had hardly bowled all season. To take that many wickets in a big game under pressure was pure class. Towards the back end of the innings, Will Seitam (OKG19) (0/23) and Charlie in his second spell, bowled nicely and tied the batsmen down. I also want to give a shout out to our keeper, Fraser Wilson (OKG17) who was immaculate with the gloves last Sunday. He took a catch but probably saved 15-20 runs with some special work behind the stumps. Aloys finished their innings 6/206 which was more than we’d liked to have chased, however with our strong batting line up we were still confident it was a target we could reach. Hamish McGilvray (OKG07) and Stocksy opened the batting and both immediately looked comfortable at the crease. Both openers were watchful at the beginning but when McG got off the mark with a 6, I thought we may have been in for another one of those special knocks. Jack at the other end was hitting some exceptional shots however, he couldn’t beat the fielder. When he got out for 24 to a good catch at mid-on we were 1/43. Fraser came out and again looked good, however he couldn’t go on with his start and was out for 9. At drinks we were 3/72 and with Geezy and Henry Wines (OKG19) at the crease, still confident, it was anyone's game. Geezy played really well and unfortunately came unstuck when he just couldn’t muscle one over the fence to the long boundary and was out for a terrific 49. Henry showed off some exquisite stroke play in his cameo of 20 but once he was out in the 26th over with the score at 6/120 we were in big trouble. Tim led the rear-guard action with a strong 37, however unfortunately it wasn’t enough as we were bowled out after 31.4 overs for 155. As I said to the team after the game, I really couldn’t have asked for more out of them last Sunday. Aloys obviously got too many runs but it more came down to moments I would like to have over again, more than anything the 10 others could have done differently. The boys should be really proud of the effort and fight they put up in the Final and throughout the whole season. I’d also like to thank all the supporters and players from the wider squad who came out to cheer us on. You know it’s a special club when you see 15-20 people turn up to support a park cricket Grand Final. Date posted: 17 March 2023 * Old Knoxonians' Cricket Club |