By David Nagel
It almost doesn’t feel right to borrow a line from the Anzac Day ode for the sake of fluffing up a cricket report…but the words ‘Age shall not weary them’ sum up perfectly the seemingly endless career of Kooweerup champion Chris O’Hara.
O’Hara, or ‘Tubsy’ to the many hundreds in the WGCA community that have admired his ability, tenacity, and courage to perform under fire over the years, was at it again on Saturday as his beloved Kooweerup (7/188) took a huge step towards this year’s title with a six-run win over reigning premier Cardinia (9/182).
O’Hara’s (53) fighting half-century dug the Demons out of a predicament, with skipper Chris Bright (72 not out) searching desperately for an able ally to help build on a flimsy 5/87 score line.
But with O’Hara’s imposing record…he didn’t have to look far.
O’Hara is right up there with the very best players to have played in the WGCA for the last 15 years – in this journo’s humble opinion the best – considering the impact he has made in key moments in big-time finals over the years.
Nearly 7,000 runs, eight centuries, 39 half centuries…O’Hara’s record is one that will stand the test of time.
His half-century against the Bulls was crucially important, at a juncture in the game where the Demons were staring at the possibility of defending anywhere between 130…and 200 in a perfect world.
His partnership with Bright – which measured exactly 100 – showed the experience and class, that tenacity we spoke about earlier, that is required to win big games against high-quality opposition.
The Bulls had a sniff, don’t worry about that, but the efforts of Bright and O’Hara snuffed out any thoughts that the visitors had of rolling through their opposition.
Cody Miller (22) and the returning Paul Bright (21) made solid contributions at the top, while Jack Bacon (2/22), Jake Prosser (2/33) and Dean Henwood (2/40) enjoyed multiple success stories for the Bulls.
Alex Nooy (33) then led the Bulls’ top order through some turbulent times, with Trav Wheller (3), Travis Welsh (10) and Bradey Welsh (4) all licking their wounds with just 53 runs on the board.
Nooy’s wicket was crucial, with the punishing left hander in one of his moods, with three boundaries and a maximum threatening the Demons through the leg side.
But at 4/53 the Demons were right on top.
The Bulls premiership win was no fluke, they’re a high-quality outfit, and an expected fight-back delivered in spades.
Their fearless leader, Prosser (55), led from the front as usual, with his former Langwarrin teammate Nathan Volpe (42) sharing the stage in an 89-run stand that really did steady the ship.
The Demons highest priority was Prosser, with his wicket delivered by who else but O’Hara, who had the Bulls’ skipper caught by John Bright.
O’Hara (3/24) would back up that success with the wickets of Lachie Volpe (2) and Henwood (0), with his three wickets critical in the run to the finish line.
Ayden Mills (2/30) bowled a great spell for the Demons, claiming the wickets of Nooy and Bradey Welsh to have a real impact.
The Bulls ran out of time, falling six runs short at the completion of their 40 overs, and have now won just two of their last six matches.
A record like that would normally be cause for concern, but the Bulls are still in this season’s title race right up to their ears…they’re just a smidgeon off the pace!
The Demons are now locked into a top-two position but face a tough test against an in-from Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday.
The Lions have won six on the trot…the contest should be a beauty.
The Bulls should bounce back to the winner’s list via a visit to bottom-placed Carlisle Park.
