By DAVID NAGEL
THE Tooradin Cricket Club is celebrating like never before after the Seagulls brought home a remarkable four premiership cups to dominate grand final weekend in West Gippsland Cricket.
A Ben Mantel leap, high in the covers, to catch Merinda Park skipper Jamie Smith, sparked joyous scenes as it secured the Seagulls this season’s Premier Division title to add to its Sub-District, D Grade and under-17 triumphs from earlier in the day.
The Premier Division victory was set up by a wonderful 146 from star batsman Tom Hussey and then built on by a courageous five-wicket haul from the lion-hearted Steve Hamill. The win made amends for last season’s heart-breaking grand final loss to Kooweerup and made it the most special day in captain Aaron Avery’s long career at the club.
“Last year really cut us deep,” Avery, struggling to keep his emotions in check, said immediately after the game.
“For the whole club to do this … look; I’m just stuck for words right now … it’s pretty emotional, I feel like I need to go into the rooms for a cry to be honest.”
