By ROY WARD
BUCKLEY Ridges batsman DJ Watson spent all week stressing about batting in the DDCA turf 1 grand final but he only needed 20 overs to take his side to a memorable premiership.
Watson resumed on 87 not out with the Ridges on 3-162 and led the charge in the first 20 overs of the day, making 188 not out with 17 fours and two sixes.
The Ridges smashed 180 runs in those 20 overs to take their total to 5-342 declared with Ben Watson four not out.
DJ Watson, whose innings will be long remembered, was honoured with the Damien Fleming medal as best player in the turf 1 grand final. The premiership was his second at the club following its 2009-2010 premiership and it came on his 25th birthday.
“It’s just good to get over the line again. This time I feel like I can absorb it more, really suck up the experience of winning the flag.”
Watson said he had spent much of the week thinking about his innings, which left him nervous.
“I just got out there today and felt good. I don’t know what got into me. I’ve been nervous all week, to be honest, but once I was out there I felt good and managed to get away and make a few runs.”
Watson had started a new job during the week and that, along with the anticipation of resuming at the crease, made for a difficult time.
“I started a new job and had a bit of time to myself so I was thinking about it way too much and got myself too worked up.
“I honestly don’t know how I got over it. I suppose I just counted down the days until the game. It’s definitely the best I’ve ever batted.”
Ridges captain-coach Marc Calkin praised Watson for his innings.
“Scoring 188 in a final is unbelievable,” Calkin said. “You couldn’t script it better. Everything he has done this year, all the work he has put in really came off for him today.”
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