A STERLING performance with the bat set Port Fairy up for a big win in the Sungold Twenty20 Cup decider against Buangor on Tuesday.
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Led by co-captain Aaron Williams, who made a rapid-fire 69, the Pirates piled on 194 runs for the loss of just four wickets, setting a sizeable task before Buangor.
The runs came quickly for the host association’s representatives, putting on 29 runs in the first three overs before losing co-captain Kalon Wilkie for 10.
But Talor Williams was able to keep the runs rolling for Port Fairy, adding 44 and teaming with Williams for an 81-run second wicket partnership.
Andrew McCartney was next to the crease and contributed 39 to the total.
Lachlan Oddie was the pick of the Buangor bowlers, snaring 2-17.
Port Fairy bowled Buangor out for 94 in 16.3 overs in reply, with Wilkie and Samuel McCartney snaring three wickets apiece.
Wilkie said after the strong batting performance, his team had focused on a disciplined effort with the ball.
“We just had to hit the right areas (with our bowling) and obviously the score was going to put a lot of pressure on them,” he said.
“We’re really proud of the boys and what they’ve achieved.”
Aaron Williams said the win was indicative of the strong form Port Fairy has been building up.
“We’ve been playing pretty good, consistent cricket for most of the year,” he said.
“We knew if we turned up and we were at our best, if we did all the basics right with our batting and fielding and bowling (it’d go a long way to winning).”
Williams praised the efforts of the Pirates’ bowlers over the three games and highlighted Colin Harwood’s work with the bat.
Harwood made 39 in the quarter-final against Boorcan and 26 against Purnim in the semi-final.
Williams said he was unsure what the club planned to use its $15,000 prize from winning the tournament on, but said with club plans to build an indoor training centre, the cash boost would be a big help.
Buangor captain Harry Ganley said while the result was disappointing for his team, he was happy with their attitude in chasing the mammoth total.
“I said to them, ‘Just go out swinging’,” he said.
“If we’re going to lose, we’re going to lose trying to chase it down.”
Buangor surprised many by making it to the final, defeating Pigeon Ponds and 2015 winner Portland Colts on the way.
Buangor defeated Portland by four wickets with four balls to spare in their semi-final, while Port Fairy ground out a three-wicket win in a low-scoring match against Purnim in the other semi-final.
