By David Nagel
Tooradin (6/168) has regained its crown as the champions of T20 in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association after the Seagulls righted a wrong from last year with a 23-run win over Kooweerup (8/145) in the Kookaburra Cup grand final at Devon Meadows.
A 91-run partnership between Man of the Match Kyle Parrott (54) and number-three Mick Sweeney (50) proved the defining period of the match, with the hot-pair repelling the best that Adam McMaster (4/38) and Jess Mathers (2/32) had to offer.
The Gulls then struck some key early blows, with Bailey Lownds (3/15), Daniel Quinn (2/19) and skipper Tyler Evans (2/27) bowling their team to victory.
Only Steven Dillon (62 not out) shone in the Demons run-chase, with a lack of support seeing his team fall short of its target.
While Kooweerup was winning last year’s Kookaburra Cup, Tooradin was involved in a different story that saw their 2023/24 campaign end in controversy.
The Seagulls were fined $250 for playing an ineligible player (Jack Mannix) in round two, and were then disqualified from the tournament completely after Dylan Sutton returned from an overseas holiday and played in round three.
The Gulls weren’t happy with the decision, but refocused to win the CCCA Premier Division two-day grand final over Pakenham.
Sweeney said while the events of last year played little motivation in Sunday’s success, it was nice to finally get across the line.
“It was mentioned a few times, as a bit of a quirk and pretty annoying; but it was probably more at the time that it didn’t make sense and didn’t sit comfortably with us,” Sweeney said, before quickly turning his attention to Sunday’s game.
“I thought that (168) was a par score, particularly with the wind and the ground having very long straight boundaries.
“Both teams bowled pretty well, but we got away with a few more boundaries than they did and we got more early wickets than them…and that was it really.
“With a ground like that, long straight and short square, it makes it very clear what you need to do with the bat or stay away from with the ball, and then it comes down to who executes their plans best.”
Sweeney brought up his half-century off just 28 balls, hitting a six of McMaster before falling to the same bowler next ball.
The elegant right-hander said batting at that sort of speed was something he was more than comfortable with, and would do so again if the right opportunity presented itself in the remaining two-day form of the game.
“I think I play pretty aggressive, particularly to spin, normally, but I try to play to the context of the game every single time I’m out there,” he explained.
“That could be trying to take the game away, or building a partnership, but you have to remember that there are 11 blokes trying to negate you or get you out at the time, and sometimes they do a really good job of it.
“It’s nice to bat with that freedom…but it can’t always be that way.”
All teams in the CCCA can now pack away the coloured clothing; with all T20 and one-day cricket now completed.
