By RUSSELL BENNETT
SIX sides full of mighty Demons will walk out on to grounds across the West Gippsland Cricket Association this grand final weekend.
It’s a remarkable achievement for the Kooweerup Cricket Club to have that many sides fighting for premiership glory.
One of those sides is the One-Day Grade outfit, skippered by Paul West, which will face off against Emerald for the ultimate prize.
Last week was West’s first taste of finals cricket. Ever.
The 30-year-old has been playing since he was 12 and that incredible drought was finally broken against Carlisle Park.
“It was a great feeling – it was a little bit nerve-wracking at first but now I know what those Premier boys go through every year,” he said.
“Being president last year and having guys play in them was a good feeling but playing in one yourself feels pretty good, and winning is even better – especially against a side that was undefeated all year (the Vikings).
“It’s great that the lower grades have stood up this year and every side is playing finals. That’s a first since I’ve been playing, anyway.”
In fact, West is no stranger to breaking droughts over recent times.
From the last round of the 2013/14 F Grade season until Round 10 in 2014/15, he didn’t make a run – a stretch of seven ducks (with a few DNBs thrown in for good measure). In fact he only added two runs from then until Round 8 this year. From 2009/10 to now, he’s averaged just 5.29 with the willow.
But at this stage, in grand final week, West couldn’t be happier.
“It’s a great feeling – now I know what it’s like for all the other boys who’ve played in so many grand finals,” he said.
“Andrew Cammarano in E Grade played in his first final on the weekend too and he’s played for about 12 years.
“It’s good from the other boys at the club too because they’ve supported us all.”
West is still the Demons’ president and he’s hoping against hope to be celebrating a bevy of flags with plenty of bevvies (beverages) come this Sunday night.
“It’d be massive,” he said.
“It’d be great to see some guys, who haven’t had that success, standing up and celebrating too.”
They all just want to do their club, and their brothers, proud.
