Liam Durkin
LONGFORD Thirds saluted in the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association Grand Final.
What ended up being a comprehensive victory looked a long way off after the Lizards were bowled out for 112 in their first innings against Nambrok.
Facing the Hawks on their home deck proved intimidating in more ways than one, as Longford put together a horrific batting card.
Three run outs, a stumping, and the first four batsmen all going out either bowled or lbw was hardly the tonic for an eventual premiership.
But then again, never judge a game of cricket until both teams have batted – especially lower grade bush cricket.
The Lizards were able to post ‘something’ of a total through the solo effort of Ash Vogt.
The usually attacking Vogt was forced to reign himself in (to an extent), and ended up making 38 off 75 balls.
That 24 of his 38 runs came in boundaries highlighted how many dot balls he absorbed in the process.
Longford’s innings was derailed by Aaron Wellins, who took 5/27 off 15.5 overs.
However, the Hawks’ batting was even more horrendous than Longford’s, as batsmen came and went in quick succession.
Nambrok trudged their way to 3/18, and things only got worse from there.
With Clinton Osborne running amok, the Hawks were soon 5/28.
There was no let-off for the home side, who failed to get any lower order partnerships going.
Longford was unrelenting, and completed the demolition in the 46th over, bowling Nambrok out for 58.
Osborne sent down 17 overs and took 4/24, while Ben Russ (3/2) and Dean Michie (2/11) joined in on the act.
While there was still plenty of overs left, with the Hawks having been knocked over for 58, and considering the lead was 54, it was decided there was no other alternative than to declare the premiership was heading back to Stephenson Park.
