WGCA PREMIER DIVISION
REVIEW – ROUND 14 (day one)
TOORADIN v KOOWEERUP (228)
By Russell Bennett
Is this the calm before the storm? The battle between the top two sides in the WGCA highlights the final round of the home and away season but one can’t help but think this chapter between the Gulls and Demons is just a prelude – a teaser to a potentially mouth-watering main event on the last weekend of the season.
The key parties of the fiery 2011/12 decider came together last week to bury the hatchet – to heal old wounds. That’s now seemingly consigned to the pages of history, but the fact remains that Tooradin and Kooweerup are two of the proudest clubs in the WGCA and these are two of the most star-studded sides. Neither are interested in second place.
There’s plenty on the line too, despite the fact that Kooweerup has sewn up top spot and Mark Cooper’s men know they’ll host Cardinia in a semi-final.
With just half a round to go, Tooradin and Pakenham still can’t be separated in second and third. They’ll face off in the other semi-final – but where? The right to host the clash is still to be won, and both the reigning premiers and Tooradin play their respective home grounds particularly well.
Throw all of that into the mix for this clash, and it produces one hell of a spotlight on ‘just another home and away game’.
And that’s exactly what made young Mitch Cammarano’s performance on Saturday so impressive.
To think – he’s still only 15-years-old.
Cammarano is no stranger to the representative stage, and no stranger to big games, but Saturday’s performance could prove to be the teenager’s making.
The Demons won the toss and elected to bat and Cammarano was elevated up the order given that he had a wedding to attend later in the day.
He came to the crease at 2/52 which soon became 3/52 when Chris O’Hara fell leg-before to Cal O’Hare for 24.
It was a precarious time in the innings with three of Kooweerup’s four most prolific run-scorers this season all back in the sheds without passing 30. For captain-coach Mark Cooper (2), Saturday marked just the second occasion this season he failed to reach double figures.
O’Hare, Kade Burns, and Aaron Avery (2/22) – whose plan worked perfectly when he snared former team mate Ben Spicer stumped by gun gloveman Tom Hussey – were all on song with the ball and Cammarano had to face the music.
First came a 28-run steadying stand with last round’s century maker Jess Mathers (24) and a little later came the 62-run partnership with Matt Bright (27).
Both were crucial in vaulting the Demons to 228.
The momentum in the battle between bat and ball swung both ways on Saturday. Most Kooweerup batsmen got promising starts, but they were all dismissed just as they started to take control.
O’Hare finished with 4/48 from 12.4 overs – including the prized scalps of O’Hara, Cooper, and Matt Davey (38) all out LBW to fuller deliveries.
But Davey said he was particularly impressed with the performances of Burns (2/55 from 19) and spinner Josh Lownds (0/44 from 18) after tea with their respective reverse swing and drift.
Davey’s knock was particularly crucial given his side was 5/99 – when keeper-batsman Chris Bright was caught behind for 10 by Tom Hussey off Russell Lehman – and at that stage was in real danger of not reaching 200.
Davey praised Cammarano’s temperament and focus in an innings that wasn’t always picture perfect, but was full of determination.
“He probably was a bit scratchy early and took a while to get going,” Davey said.
“Tooradin had a bit to say to him.
“It wasn’t anything out of line at all – it was just in the spirit of the game.
“They were probably just trying to get inside his head a bit but he really stepped up.
“He was supposed to leave early to go to a wedding – that’s why he batted at four.
“I’m not sure where he’ll bat in the semi-finals – facing Doigy and those guys is a bit different – but he’s just shown such a good temperament.
“After tea I thought they bowled really well but he just kept concentrating and didn’t get too phased.”
Davey said Saturday gave him the opportunity to play a slightly different role to that which he’s used to, but it provided him with plenty of valuable time at the crease leading up to the business end of the season.
“I thought it was a great test,” he said of day one.
“We were happy with it in the end – it definitely gives us something to bowl to.
“They’ve got to win (to hold on to second spot) so they’ll definitely be up for it this week.”
The focus now turns to the Gulls’ batsmen this week – chasing less than 230 in 80 overs.
For the rest of the Round 14 action across the grades in the West Gippsland Cricket Association, pick up a copy of the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette – out first thing Wednesday morning.
