Ecstasy after agony

By Gavin Staindl
IN ANOTHER feel-good story to come out of the West Gippsland Cricket season, Upper Beaconsfield star John Simpson and captain Chris Pentland have dedicated their performances and district grand final win to parents who died during the season.
Simpson made 88 not out in his man-of-the-match performance against Merinda Park while captain Pentland made 31 and was met with emotions of sadness and ecstasy as he accepted the trophy on behalf of his team.
Pentland played through the 2009-10 season despite losing both parents in the space of two weeks at the beginning of the season while Simpson also had to deal with living life without a parent as he said goodbye to his father, Colin, three weeks ago.
“It was really good to get over the line,” Simpson said.
“The win was for him (Colin), me, and my good mate Chris’ (Pentland) sake who also lost his mum and dad.
“My goal at the start (of the day) was not to go out … I just wanted to be out there in the middle with my mates and I did that,” Simpson said.
Like Pentland, Simpson was met with the same mixed feelings after the match but is now enjoying the spoils of a memorable victory.
“This is my first grand final win I have played in, and I have been playing since I was eight,” said the 29-year-old.
“It is just unbelievable … really good,” Simpson said.