Tom Parry
LONGFORD stunned the local cricket fraternity last Saturday.
The club triumphed over Stratford by two wickets in Round 10 of the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association’s First Grade competition.
The win was just their third in three seasons.
Speaking to the Gippsland Times after the match, captain Lachlan Floyd said he was “rapt” with the result.
For him, the outcome was especially pleasing, and surprising, given that Stratford were the top-ranked team going into the match, while the Lizards occupied last spot on the ladder.
“Even though they (Stratford) had a couple of players out, they’ve got so much depth – they’re a really good side,” Floyd said.
“Personally, I think they’re the flag favourites.
“To do that – you wouldn’t even dream about it!”
Longford’s victory was secured through the efforts of two players, the first being Andrew Tyson, who took five wickets in the first innings.
In the words of Floyd, Tyson “bowled out of his skin”.
“Some boys at the other end were toiling away bowling dot balls for him, and he (Tyson) managed to get the rewards,” Floyd said.
The second player who helped guarantee the win was Jake Wynd, who scored 83 – after running his captain out.
“After (Wynd) burnt me, he had to go get some runs, and he just hit everything out of the middle,” Floyd explained, smiling.
“It didn’t matter where they pitched it, he was just clearing the fence.
“Whether it was… leg side, off side, long boundary, short boundary, he didn’t care today.
“And when he gets in that mood, he just destroys bowling line-ups.”
Wynd admitted to feeling “pretty tired” after his knock, but was nonetheless pleased with his efforts and that of the team.
“Stratty are a really good side and (have) got a lot of depth… had a few (players) out, but it’s awesome to get the win, especially in the heat with a young side, and all the young fellas have done really well,” Wynd said.
Photo: File
The win comes amid a trying few years for Longford Cricket Club, who recorded just one victory in the 2021/22 season, and none whatsoever in the season prior.
Until the weekend, their only victory for this season had come against Boisdale-Briagolong in Round 5.
The result not only took Longford from eighth to seventh on the First XI ladder; it also relegated Stratford – the defending First Grade champions – to second place.
“It’s shaken up the league, and that’s sort of what we planned to do after Christmas… try and upset a couple of teams, and it’s paid off,” Floyd said.
Floyd believes that the Round 10 victory puts the club in a good position for the remainder of the season.
“I think it’s good for us in the terms of… knowing that when we do play our best cricket, we bring our best attitude, we can achieve good things,” Floyd said.
“By no means do we think that we’re just going to go out and beat teams every week or get too far ahead of ourselves – we’ll be pulled back into line during the week, no doubt; but yeah, (this win) gives us a good bit of confidence that if we do the right things, we will get the reward, whether that’s winning or being really competitive with good sides.”
He singled out praise for British import Jordan Price, who has been a positive influence on the club.
“Jordan’s obviously a wealth of knowledge, and he’s just come into our club and improved all of our juniors out of sight,” Floyd explained.
“He’s just a huge influence on what we’re doing here, so a big thing for him is to (come) back next year and keep driving us forward to be better.”
Coincidentally, the weekend’s game also served as Wynd’s last for Longford, who is moving to Queensland this week to live with his sister.
Wynd got his start in club cricket at Bundalaguah, earning vice-captaincy of the Under 14 side in 2014, then became captain of the Under 16 side before moving into their First Grade team.
He made the move across to Longford for the 2021/22 season, and has remained there until now.
“They were very successful, Bundy, and coming here (to Longford) was a bit more of a challenge, but I love it… love a challenge, and it’s such a great family club,” Wynd said.
“I couldn’t ask for a better place to play cricket. It’s awesome.”
