By sports editor Russell Bennett
What does Country Week mean to WGCA champions Ben Maroney, Mark Cooper, Rob Elston, Jason Williams, and Chris Bright? Take a look at their expressions when they walk off the ground and even apologise after being dismissed, or when a catch is dropped when they’re in the field. And, equally – look at them, and the likes of team manager Phil Anning, when young guns Tyler Clark and Trav Wheller are shining in a crucial stand; or when Tom Tyrrell, Pat Lawson, or Matt Hutchinson are on a tear with the ball; or league newcomers Daniel Lever and Matt Aslett stand up to be counted. The buy-in from all of them is obvious.
What’s been built in recent seasons under Anning, Elston, Cooper and Dom Paynter has only grown. Whatever it is – it’s special, and it’s driving the group to heights many outside the association, and a large number within, didn’t think it was even capable of reaching.
Look at the progression – from winning Division 3, to progressing out of Division 2 last year, to now retaining its spot in the top provincial tier for at least another 12 months. It’s undeniable.
By the only relevant measure in Victorian state cricket, the WGCA is one of the top eight country leagues.
And it rings true that one of the biggest virtues of a proven, quality side is its ability to bounce back from defeat – and quickly.
The Warriors were smashed by Geelong on Tuesday at Camberwell. ‘Smashed’ sounds a little harsh, but it’s the first word that springs to mind from a near 200-run loss where GCA gun Richard Oliver scored 151 runs from a shade over 130 deliveries. The entire Warriors side that day scored 158 in reply.
Fast forward 24 hours to Wednesday at Bill Lawry Oval in Northcote, and the Warriors had long put the defeat to the back of their mind – instead focused on the task at hand against Warrnambool and District – and walked away with a stirring bonus point win.
After starting in disastrous fashion with co-captain – and Country Week stalwart – Maroney bowled with the first ball of the day, the Warriors rebounded.
First it was via a 45-run second wicket stand between proven guns Cooper (25) and Elston (50), then it was through a near-80 run stand for the third wicket between Elston and Bright (39), and – most tellingly – it was through a 57-run partnership between young guns Clark (23) and Wheller (40).
Elston’s assured stroke-play was an early highlight – particularly when he rocked on to the back foot for a series of crunching boundaries behind square on both sides of the ground – along with Cooper’s and Bright’s attacking mindset.
But it was Clark and Wheller who gave a real glimpse into a glistening future for the WGCA at the level. Refusing to be overawed by a WDCA side featuring proven overseas talent, they rose to the occasion.
Bright’s, Clark’s, and Wheller’s wickets seemed like three massive body blows at the time they fell, and the Warriors didn’t ultimately face out their 50 overs against the moving Duke ball – dismissed for 206 in 46.4 – but the positivity from the side continued with ball in hand.
They opened with the left-arm seam of south east cricketing legend Hutchinson, and the spin of Lever – a fascinating combination that reaped immediate rewards.
Hutchinson’s career needs no introduction, and neither should Lever’s. He’s a multiple-time former skipper of the YVCA (Yarra Valley) Country Week side, and a leader in his own right.
The first Warrnambool wicket fell with the first ball of his first over as he bowled their in-form skipper Nick Butters (2) through his legs.
A 55-run stand for the second wicket appeared to steady the ship, but Lawson produced the timely breakthrough with a full toss LBW that looked like it would have gone on to hit all three stumps of Chris Bant (22). It’s worth noting that, until Monday, Lawson had never bowled on turf… let alone with a Duke ball.
Bant’s was the first of three wickets to fall from 2/58 to 4/63 as Tyrrell struck with a pair of his own LBWs.
Keen observers would note that it was Cooper and Tyrrell who did so much of the damage in the crucial game at Essendon’s Windy Hill in the last WGCA Country Week campaign. Cooper has long had the reputation of a big-game performer, and so too does Tyrrell with his ability to shape the ball both ways.
By 5/97 with keeper-batsman Aaron Williams’ wicket – LBW to Aslett with the third delivery after drinks (the first being a front foot no ball, and the second a towering six off the subsequent free hit) – the WGCA seemed home.
Still, they had a job to finish.
And Cooper and Lever stepped up to finish it.
It must be said that not only is the Kooweerup captain-coach the third leading run-scorer in the West Gippsland Premier grade this season (537 so far at 59.7), he’s also the leading wicket-taker with what used to be part-time spin (33 at a staggering 11.7). His ability to pick up wickets with seemingly innocuous deliveries hasn’t gone unnoticed, but his consistency in line and length often has. This time around he finished with 4/23 from his 10 overs, while Lever claimed 2/17 – including the final wicket of the match as his new Warriors team mates came from all angles to celebrate with him.
On Thursday, this Country Week campaign’s biggest challenge yet awaits these Warriors… the might of the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association (MPCA) at Bayswater Park, with the winner of that earning the right to play off for the title on Friday. The MPCA claimed last year’s crown in memorable scenes at the Junction Oval against the powerhouse Sale-Maffra, and this year they have one of the WGCA’s own in their midst.
In fact, he’s one of the WGCA’s best all-time players – former Tooradin gun keeper-batsman Tom Hussey (now at Langwarrin).
He’ll take his place at the top of the order on Thursday against many of his team-mates of last year’s campaign.
Clearly he’ll bring plenty of inside knowledge to the table as the MPCA plans its attack, but so will former MPCA household names Mark Cooper and Scott Clark for West Gippsland. Mornington versus West Gippsland – 10am Thursday from Bayswater Park… bring it on.
West Gippsland: 206 (R. Elston 50, T. Wheller 40, C. Bright 39, M. Cooper 25, M. Petherick 3/16, S. Clarkson 2/20, H. Schlaghecke 2/45)
Warrnambool and District: 146 (J. Perera 32, M. Clark 25, M. Cooper 4/23, T. Tyrrell 2/12, D. Lever 2/17)
