The Boorowa Crocodiles have become the Sweeney Cup Champions in the Yass District Cricket Association after yet another thrilling win by three wickets over Binalong last Saturday in Yass.
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In front of a healthy crowd of eager spectators from both teams, the Crocs again left their supporters looking for the heart medication after almost snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Having stared down the barrel of almost certain defeat and elimination in the previous two weeks, the Crocs held their nerve getting home with fewer than two overs left.
Binalong won the toss and batted first hoping to set a reasonable target and blast the Crocs out later in the day.
On the slowish and rather expansive O’Connor Park ground, runs were always hard to come by and any score over 100 in the grand final was going to be competitive.
Binalong lost an early wicket when Nick Dwyer broke through for the Crocs after just three overs. Binalong reached 1/18 after ten overs with the Crocs really turning the screws on the batting line up through some tight bowling from the opening duo of Chris Dwyer and Nick Dwyer.
Jye Paterson and Alex Blomfield kept the pressure on from the Crocs and it appeared that Binalong were attempting to keep their wickets in tact for an onslaught in the second twenty overs.
They scored just 15 runs off the next ten overs to reach just 1/33 off 20 overs.
After drinks it didn’t get any easier for Binalong when Crocs young gun Jacob Piper bowled a superb six over spell removing the stubborn George Knight and taking 1/9 in his spell.
The super spinner Josh Grey picked up a vital wicket through a screaming catch by Cameron Johnston placing even more pressure on Binalong.
Byron Campbell pulled off a stunning outfield catch to add to Binalong’s woes and when they were 5/63 in 32 overs it looked as though 90 would be a great score. However the Crocs have struggled in recent innings to limit teams in the final overs.
Binalong managed to smash 61 runs off the final eight overs through some controlled hitting by Mick Patterson 24 and Victor Coble 32.
Although they only finished with 124, it was a competitive target and Binalong carried all the momentum into the second half of the game.
In reply, the Crocs began steadily with openers Phil Coggins and James Green trying to negotiate Binalong’s opening bowlers.
They were batting well early negotiating some short pitched deliveries until Coggo flashed at a short delivery only to guide it to first slip.
Opening partner green was trapped in front shortly after and at 2/11 the chase looked shaky.
Jye Paterson and Blake Anderson then combined to take the score along to 2/54 after 20 overs and with just a further 71 required in the final 20 overs, Boorowa looked comfortable.
But if the Crocs are renowned for one thing this season, its drama, and the next 20 overs were full of it.
The third wicket stand had reached 56 when Blake Anderson was removed for a vital 14.
Byron Campbell joined Jye and together they continued to chip away at the target.
At 3/95 after over 31, the Crocs now required just 30 in nine overs with seven wickets still left.
The Premiership dream was almost a reality. But that’s when all the trouble started.
Jye Paterson fell for a well compiled 45 and no sooner had he departed, skipper Chris Dwyer followed him back to the pavillion for a solid duck.
The Innings began to spiral out of control as Byron Campbell and Cameron Johnston’s time in the middle was short lived and after losing 4/10 the Crocs were 7/106 with fewer than 5 overs left.
The Crocs tail had been in this situation before in the semis and weren’t about to surrender the grand final easily.
It was Alex Blomfield who clouted a quick 21 including one towering six along with the calm Nick Dwyer who held their nerve and secure the Sweeney Cup trophy for the all-conquering Crocs.
As Alex smashed the ball down the ground for the winning runs, the Boorowa crowd erupted whilst most of the players felt relieved that one of the most dramatic semi final series for a local team had finally resulted in a Premiership victory.
The Sweeney Cup has returned to Boorowa for the first time in 29 long years and for the lone survivor from that winning team in 1989, Phil Coggins commented that victory in 2018 was just as sweet.
Whilst Coggo may not be there in another 29 years as a player, perhaps another couple of seasons may still be a reality for the old timer.
The team returned to their sponsors den, the Courthouse Hotel where victory celebrations continued well into the wee small hours.
When the Pub eventually pulled up stumps, the team made their way to their beloved recreation ground and new pitch, paying homage to the cricketing gods for their Premiership win.
As singers, the team makes great cricketers and our humble apologies to those who may have been wakened from their slumber by noises that may have sounded like a pack of wolves howling.
The Crocs would like to thank all the supporters who made the trek to Yass on Saturday who really made a huge difference.
Thanks to the Boorowa Gators players who provided great support on the day too.
There is competitive rivalry in the matches between the Crocs and the Gators, but last Saturday the Gators were fantastic in their support.
Thanks also to those many supporters that couldn’t be there but wished us well and have sent us their congratulations. Your thoughts are most appreciated.
The Yass District Presentation night is to be held on Saturday, April 7 where the Crocs will officially receive the Sweeney Cup.
The local presentation is expected to be shortly after this evening on a date yet to be fixed. Stay tuned for that one.
It’s been a sensational season for both the Crocs and the Gators along with our junior teams.
As the sun sets on another season, this victory will be long celebrated well into the winter months.
The Grand Final Scorecard looked this way:
Binalong Innings:
- M. Dyball, Bowled N. Dwyer 2
- G. Knight, LBW J. Piper 12
- Nic A, caught C. Johnston Bowled J. Grey 15
- D. Arabin, Bowled N. Dwyer 3
- M. Saving, caught B. Campbell Bowled Paterson 4
- V. Coble, LBW N. Dwyer 32
- C. Lloyd, Bowled C. Dwyer 0
- M. Patterson, Bowled C. Dwyer 24
- T. Glover, Bowled C. Dwyer 2
- J. Finch, Not Out 3
- O. Knight, Bowled C. Dwyer 5
- Sundries 22
All Out: 124
Bowling for Boorowa : C. Dwyer 4/23 , N. Dwyer 3/19, A. Blomfield 0/35, J. Paterson 1/22, J. Paterson 1/9 and J. Grey 1/8
Boorowa Innings:
- P. Coggins, caught M .Patterson Bowled Arabin 5
- J. Green, LBW M. Patterson 2
- J. Paterson, caught Bowled Nic A 45
- B. Anderson, caught Bowled J. Finch 14
- B. Campbell, Bowled Nic A 3
- C. Dwyer caught M. Patterson 0
- C. Johnston caught M. Patterson 1
- A. Blomfield Not Out 21
- N. Dwyer Not Out 5
- J. Grey Did Not Bat
- J. Piper Did Not Bat
- Sundries 33
Total: 7/130
Binalong Bowling: D. Arabin 1/20, V. Coble 0/20, M. Patterson 3/32, Nic A 2/20, M. Saving 0/11, J. Finch 1/12, O. Knight 0/2.
Result: Boorowa won by three Wickets.