IRYMPLE have claimed the first piece of silverware for the season, easily defeating Workers Gol Gol in yesterday’s inaugural Sunraysia Cricket Association (SCA) one-day grand final at John Hall Oval.
On a day that favoured bowlers, Irymple comfortably accounted for their opponents, running out winners by 44 runs.
Irymple captain Jordan Payne paid special tribute to all-rounders Dan Coghlan and Mark Thomson, who stood up in the difficult conditions, both contributing with the bat and ball.
But it was their effort with the bat which won praise from Payne.
“I think I surprised Workers when I won the toss and batted,” Payne said.
“The pitch wasn’t great but in a final if you can get runs on the board you can put some pressure back on your opposition.
“We were in a lot of trouble losing three quick wickets, but Dan and Thomo’s effort was outstanding – they really stood up and I thought 130 wasn’t a bad score given the circumstances.”
Coghlan showed plenty of patience in his knock of 34 off 64 balls while Thomson stepped up with 46 in the middle order, but despite their efforts they were still unable to bat out their 40 overs, bowled out in the 38th.
Matt Cameron was the destroyer with the ball for Workers, claiming the enviable figures of 6/8 off seven overs.
Workers’ run chase couldn’t have started any worse, losing opener Ben McPhee caught down the leg side by Payne off Chase Stone for a duck.
He was quickly followed by big-hitting Shacaya Thomas, who was trapped LBW for three, and then the wheels really started to fall off when Josh Deren failed to trouble the scorers, caught by Ryan Muir off the bowling of Thomson.
Workers captain Adam Thomson (21) showed some resistance in the middle order but when he was stumped by Payne off Coghlan trying to lift the tempo, the inevitable loomed, Workers eventually all out in the 33rd over for 86.
Payne said the win would provide Irymple with plenty of confidence as the countdown to the two-day finals starts.
“I think we have played them (Workers) two or three times this season and every game has been close, obviously other than today,” Payne said after yesterday’s win.
“We have them again in the last round and then probably again in the first week of the finals, so to get a win today is certainly a bit of a psychological win for us.”
