Behind the stumps: Gators grab emotional one-run victory after tragic week; Nirranda champions again

The Knights, who finished top of the table, batted first and posted a total of 98 runs from their 20 overs.

Sophie Walsh (30) and Heidi Stansfield (21) top-scored for Nirranda, while Milly Illingworth also scored a rapid-fire 17 runs. 

This marked the second game in a row Walsh, 15, had made 30 and retired, with the opener now having scored 140 runs in her last three innings for the under 17 girls and under 15 boys.

Ella Couch was the most damaging of Nestles’ bowlers, finishing with figures of 2-12 off her two overs. 

Nirranda set their opponent a total of 98 to chase and while it took the minor premiers five overs to claim their breakthrough wicket, newcomer Taleisha Ryan hit middle stump to get a wicket with her very first ball.

Nestles skipper Shona Noske-Poulton managed to score a 30 and the underdogs kept the game alive until the very last over, when they needed nine to runs to record an upset victory. 

But Illingworth, 13, was trusted with the ball in the final over and when Jacque Dickson took an impressive catch on the second-last ball, the flag was theirs. 

“It was pretty nerve-racking bowling at the end,” Illingworth said.

“But after a couple of balls I got used to it and started working on my line and length a bit more.

“I was really pumped when we won because I didn’t play in the grand final with them last year.”

Nirranda coach Jarryd Walsh said he was rapt with the way his side coped with the pressure of going back-to-back. 

“I’m incredibly proud of what the girls have done – it was an extraordinary effort,” he said.

Walsh also paid tribute to the runners-up, Nestles Cricket Club. 

“They were without a doubt the second-best team all year,” he said.

“And given they often struggled for numbers, getting into the grand final was a fantastic achievement.

“Brooke Herbertson did a fantastic job coaching them.”

While Allansford Cricket Club was rocked by the death of former player Sam Chilton last week, it had one small reason to smile after a thrilling home victory over Koroit in the Warrnambool and District league on the weekend. 

A minute’s silence was held before the Gators thirds side, which featured a few of Chilton’s friends, were bowled out for 148 runs, with Kalin Jan (23) the top-scorer. 

Nick Hausler (49 not out) set about building Koroit’s innings and with five overs remaining the visitors needed 20 runs to win with three wickets in hand. 

And then with just one run needed off the final over, Gators skipper Simon Walker, 31, took the ball.

He managed to bowl three dots before Nick Mills caught John Geier out on the boundary line and pandemonium ensued. 

“It was like we'd won the grand final – there were blokes running in from everywhere hugging each other,” Walker said. 

“I've played footy and cricket since I was 12, but this was hands down the best sporting moment I’ve ever been involved with.”

The win keeps Allansford in striking distance of the top four, with Wesley, Russells Creek Blue, Nestles and Port Fairy leading the chase.

But Walker, who was bowled out for a duck as opening batsman, was quick to deflect praise to his teammates.

“I’m captain based on my ability to text multiple people during the week, rather than any cricketing prowess,” he joked.

Walker said ultimately though he hoped just playing cricket could help a community in mourning. 

“It was just about getting the players’ minds off the events of last week,” he said.

“We had a few of Sam's mates playing in the team and they were outstanding.

“They carried themselves beyond their years and I think they did their mate proud.

Walker also thanked the Koroit Cricket Club for their sportsmanship.

Jye McLaughlin Camperdown 71; Tyler Schafer Mortlake 70; Simon Baker Bookaar 67; Simon Harkness Heytesbury 65*; Tim Place Pomborneit 58; Grant Place Pomborneit 51; Tharaka Sendanayake Pomborneit 49* & 2-17; Liam Geary 4-39 & 42; Brad Hillman Pomborneit 5-29; Todd Robertson Mortlake 5-30; Harry Summer Camperdown 3-8.

Mitch Clark Allansford 85; Aaron Williams Port Fairy 70; Charlie Blacker Allansford 66; Nick Robertson Allansford 56; Jason Perera Port Fairy 48; Zeb McCarthy Dennington 45; Hank Schlaghecke Woodford 7-30; Joe Higgins Nestles 5-44; Sam Clarkson Merrivale 3-27; James Dalton Wesley-CBC 3-28; Jacob Hetherington Nestles 3-49.

Brendan Chatfield Killarney 116; Duncan Craw Woolsthorpe 66; Mick Mahoney 56; Daniel Jones 47; Xavier McCartney 44 & 47*; Christo Rook 45, 28*, 2-25 & 4-45; Chris Woodbridge Woolsthorpe 10-86; Liam Balcombe Yambuk 4-15; Braden Hotker Grassmere 5-38; Connor Umbers Yambuk 3-11; Adam Ryan Grassmere 2-6.

Merrivale will play Wesley CBC in the Warrnambool and District league under 15 boys grand final at Uebergang Oval this weekend.

Having finished top of the table, Wesley CBC took care of West Warrnambool with ease. Xavier Ellul took four wickets for just three runs off his six overs.

Merrivale, which finished second on the ladder, booked its spot at the big dance after beating Brierly Blue by 61 runs. Tom Knight top-scored for the winning side with 61, while Hugh Fleming scored 48 runs. 

The Mailors Flat Cricket Club is holding an afternoon tea reunion at Winslow on Saturday from 3pm for all players past and present.