Blackburn South C.C
6th XI (H Grade) 2022/23
For this side, the journey started long before the first match was played. The idea was born midway through the local footy season, on a classic Friday night enjoying a few frothies up at the East Burwood footy club. A team blending young, up and coming juniors with their fathers looking to wind back the clock on their playing days.
As the season approached, leadership was locked in, with Drew Sinclair named captain and Brad Jones as vice captain. What followed was a remarkable season. This team, made up mostly of seasoned veterans, would filter through more than 30 different players throughout the year, yet never lose their edge. From the opening round to the grand final, they dominated the competition, finishing the season undefeated.
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Just like that, the grand final had arrived. Fresh off a dominant performance against Laburnum, finishing them off in a single day the week before. We were set to take on Heatherdale in the decider.
The toss didn’t go our way, and we were sent into bat. As had become tradition throughout the season, the father–son duo of Jake and Ben Stone opened the innings. Ben was dismissed early, but the calm remained. In came our star South African and season’s top run-scorer, Justin Kitchen. Hopes were high, but in a shock twist, he was gone for 15, leaving us 2/34 after 14 overs.
That brought skipper Drew Sinclair to the crease. At the other end, Jake Stone was digging in, showing grit and patience. Together, the pair built a crucial 82 run partnership, steering the side to 2/116 at the end of the innings. Drew finished unbeaten on 58* while Jake closed on a well compiled 32*
With the ball in hand, it took just two overs to make the first breakthrough, Matt Scarffe striking with the opening delivery of his spell, well held at mid-wicket by team sledger BT. From there, wickets fell regularly, Heatherdale reduced to 9/90 by day’s end. A special request to the umpires and opposition captain allowed play to continue to get the final wicket. The final wicket fell on the last ball of the 33rd over. It was a true all-round effort with seven different wicket-takers. Pete McLaren 1/14, Ben Stone 2/7, Matt Scarffe 1/6, Aaron Pitt 2/19, Brad Jones 1/6, Angus McLaren 2/21, and Justin Kitchen 2/5, sealing an undefeated premiership in style.
GF STARTING XI
Mark Lane
James Thurlow (wk)
Peter McLaren
Jack Pitt
Drew Sinclair (c)
Angus McLaren
Aaron Pitt
Jake Stone
Mathew Scarffe
Justin Kitchen
Brad Jone (vc)
Ben Stone
Brett Thornton
Blackburn South C.C
2/116
Def.
Heatherdale C.C
90
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