Golden victory

By Gavin Staindl
CELEBRATIONS are still in full swing as Buckley Ridges players continue to bask in the glory of winning the Dandenong and District Cricket Association Turf One grand final.
The Ridges set up the win over Hallam-Kalora Park at Keysborough Reserve on the Saturday when they made 9/212 with captain Paul Franks making 46 and David Wheeler hitting 45 in the closing hours of the day.
Wheeler, who was awarded the Damien Fleming medal for his best on ground performance, put on a significant partnership after tea with Paul Rudd (29) that appeared to break the Hallam resolve.
Hallam-Kalora Park’s Cory Booth (3/41 off 12 overs) and Steven Chapman (3/63 off 24 overs) were good but as Buckley Ridges president Kieran Watson said, the 212 scoreline was always going to be hard to beat.
“I knew we had won it on the Saturday,” Watson said.
“I knew if we got to 150 we would be in with a chance and when we reached 200 I knew we would win it.
“I’ve been happy with our bowling attack and it would have had too much variety for them (Hallam-Kalora Park),” Watson said.
In the end, Watson was proved correct with his side’s bowlers dismissing the birds for 124.
Westley Nicholas (4/44 off 12 overs) and Daniel Watson (3/28 off 13 overs) were responsible for taking the first six wickets before their opponents were able to past 100 runs.
Leigh Booth (41) was the sole foundation in the Hallam-Kalora Park innings so when he was dismissed by Franks (1/14) at 8/106 even the Ridges’ players started getting excited.
Some 44 minutes later the final blow came.
Looking to heave the ball over mid-wicket, final batter Nigel Hepponstall skied the ball and Nicholas, fielding at short mid-off, scampered all the way to the deep mid-off boundary before he caught the ball going back with the flight.
Nicholas turned back to the pitch to meet a stampede of 10 other Ridges’ players racing towards him. It was not long before the Buckley crowd gathered on the field to share in the post-match celebrations.
“It was very satisfying,” Watson said. “Seven of the 11 guys have all come through our junior program and only one is from overseas which makes it so much more satisfying that this is a victory from the club,” Watson said.
It’s been exactly 50 years since Buckley Ridges last took out the Turf One grand final in 1958-59 and 1959-60.
“There were a number of players from that winning side 50 years ago who were also there enjoying it that makes it special,” Watson said.
While the Ridges did not seem to have much trouble finding the beers post-game they were able to take a moment to come together to talk about the club and the aspirations for next year.
“We are looking for a new coach as Franksy (Paul Franks) is going back to England and probably not coming back next year … but most of the boys will go again,” Watson said.
And if the post-match celebrations were anything to go by then it looks like the tight-knit Ridges will look to go back-to-back, just like they did 50 years ago.