By Russell Bennett
WARRAGUL & DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION
REVIEW – COUNTRY WEEK
The Wild Dogs are snarling.
The particular dog pack in question is the Warragul and District Cricket Association’s senior Country Week side, and the relentless aggression of its mentality was one of its hallmark qualities all week last week as it stormed to the Victorian Country Cricket League’s (VCCL) Melbourne Country Week Division 3 title.
The ‘Wild Dogs’ advanced to the final for the first time since their agonising loss to the neighbouring West Gippsland in the 2017 decider at Preston City Oval.
Since that day, the Warriors of West Gippsland have gone on a giant-killing run that has seen them progress to within a whisker of the top tier Provincial grand final.
And it’s a run that the Wild Dogs are hell-bent on emulating, while also forging their own unique path.
In this year’s campaign, under coach Norm Berry, the Wild Dogs have taken their professionalism to a whole new level – demonstrating their eagerness to prove they belong, not only as Country Week contenders, but as players who can take their side through the divisions into the upper reaches of the competition.
“The leadership group of Fraser (skipper Fraser Duncan), Jack (Armour), and Sam (Batson) have an average age of 24 and have delivered a strong direction that senior players have followed, and the result is as strong a week of results in many years,” said WDCA support staff member Dave Armour.
He also praised the leadership, guidance, and selflessness of Berry who inspired the group in his eagerness to give so much back to local cricket in the region.
The WDCA’s campaign has featured contributions from right throughout the squad, with the likes of Sanjaya Gangodawila, Duncan, Ben Spicer, Hussain Ali, James Vela, and Danny Sheehan starring in particular.
In Round 1, they proved far too strong for the Seymour and District opponents they ultimately toppled for the title.
The WDCA won that first clash by five wickets (5/129 in reply to 128) thanks largely to 3/22 from Troy Lehman, and two wickets apiece from Batson, Nuwan Perera, and James Williams (2/13). The following day, a sublime 151 from Gangodawila powered the Wild Dogs to 310 against Hamilton District – a total they didn’t get remotely close to, courtesy of a strong all-around bowling effort from the WDCA.
In Round 3, against the South West Cricket Association, it was again with the ball that the WDCA proved far too strong – rolling South West for just 107 chasing their 5/205. On that occasion it was Ali (3/8), Brad Glover (2/27), and Williams (2/1) who shone brightest with ball in hand.
Hamilton was once again the victim in the semi-final stage as a classy Vela ton (108) and 62 from Sheehan led the WDCA to 290.
Fittingly, the Wild Dogs dominated the grand final at Beach Oval in Brighton on Friday. A strong, all-around batting effort saw the WDCA post 7/240 from their 50 overs with Armour (29), Duncan (42), Gamini Kumara (66 not out), Corey Jagoe (22), and Ali (44 not out) leading the way.
And a fired up Kumara capped off his performance with the bat by clinching man of the match honours with the ball – holding down an end for seven overs as Perera (3/34) and Lehman (2/35) did the bulk of the damage in restricting Seymour District to 174.
After a stellar Division 3 campaign, the Wild Dogs now have their sights firmly set on capitalising on their performance in Division 2 next year. Look out, anyone who tries to stand in their way!
WARRAGUL AND DISTRICT’S 2019 DIVISION 3 COUNTRY WEEK CAMPAIGN
Round 1: Seymour and District 128 def by Warragul and District 5/129
Round 2: Warragul and District 310 def Hamilton District 135
Round 3: Warragul and District 5/205 def South West 107
Semi Final: Warragul and District 290 def Hamilton District 218
Grand Final: Warragul and District 7/240 def Seymour District 174
