IRYMPLE century maker Jarrad Armsden dedicated his third SCA First Division century to former teammate Jeremy Graham.
The 2017/18 season premiership player died prior to the Swallows’ final round contest with Merbein at Henshilwood Oval, making ‘Jacko’s’ achievement all the more emotional.
Armsden’s 101 not out from 107 deliveries, which includes five fours and four sixes, helped guide Irymple to a first innings total of 7/306 against the Magpies.
“It was pretty emotional to be honest, just because of the week we’d had basically, to do it for ‘Jezza’ was the best thing,” he said.
“It was pretty flat but we all made sure to get around each other, obviously a few of the boys played in the last premiership with him. I took it upon myself to try and get around most of them where I could.
“I was on about 98 and I was already about bawling my eyes out starting to think about it, played a couple of loose shots but managed to get there.
“Got there with a quick two… I tell you what the body doesn’t like doing that anymore, but it was bloody good to get there.”
The knock was Armsden’s second century since joining Irymple in 2018 following an unbeaten 167 in Mildura West that season.
His maiden triple figure score came against his current side when he scored 109 for Merbein back in 2015.
Armsden’s innings takes him to 291 runs for the season, mostly batting at number six or seven, only behind the Swallows top order players Mark Thomson, Bryson Lush and David Filippi.
“I’ve been hitting the ball pretty well to be honest, but I’ve just been getting myself out playing silly shots but other than that I feel like I’m going alright,” he said.
“I’m pinch hitting as well as consolidating down the order, just summing up what’s going on with the game and try to play my role for the team.
“It does make it easier that we have so many guys who can play different role. We try to get myself and JP (Jordan Payne) in after tea when there’s wickets in hand late.
While the main focus for the Swallows will be to knock over the Magpies on Saturday, they are guaranteed a semi-final match up the following week against either Nichols Point or Gol Gol.
Armsden feels the team is hitting its straps in the lead up to finals.
“Mark (Thomson) has had a sensational year, pretty rapt for him,” he said.
“Our bowling has been really consistent all year and has been for a number of years now, and our depth is pretty good when you see Wade (Minter) make a ton on the weekend as well Nick Giofre is still to come back in.
“I don’t really care who we play, we’ve just got to win the next two games.”
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