By David Nagel
The label of ‘reigning premier’ now sits comfortably on the shoulders of the Tooradin Cricket Club but the title defence of Cardinia is one of the bravest we’ve seen in recent memory.
The Bulls, battling injury and inconsistent form throughout the season, were still a realistic chance of defending their crown with seven overs left in the season.
The hard-hitting Leigh Paterson was at the crease, and with two wickets and 60 runs to get – with small boundaries straight – a second miracle in two weeks was still highly-unlikely…but a remote possibility.
But when Paterson smashed probably the biggest hit of the day, and was caught on the deep-mid-wicket fence by man-of-the-match Russ Lehman – the brave battle was effectively over.
A semi-final victory over Pakenham, then preliminary final defeat of Kooweerup, showed the Bulls had the heart to compete, but a continuing ailment once again brought it undone.
“It hurts, it really hurts, but it just comes down to the same thing we’ve discussed over the last four or five weeks, our top order failing and leaving too much for our bottom order to do,” said Bulls’ skipper Jake Prosser shortly after the match.
“We bowled pretty well, we fielded pretty well, but we left too much for our bottom six to do and it’s not good enough, and that was the difference today.”
The Bulls defended like their hearts depended on it with the ball.
With Dwayne Doig and Travis Wheller expertly tying up one end, the Seagulls were 1/25 off 10, 2/58 off 20, and in a spot of bother at 4/87 off 30.
But a late 10-over burst from Brad Butler saw the Gulls score 3/74 to set a gettable, but challenging target of 162.
“We knew they were going to get at least 60 off their last 10, because it’s so hard to defend the short boundaries straight,” Prosser said.
“We tried to defend by bowling a bit shorter, but it didn’t really work, so we then bowled fuller at the risk of getting hit for sixes.
“But in the end, we lost the game not due to our bowling, we bowled pretty well, it was just losing too many wickets in the top order.”
Prosser was not pushing blame and admits he was also at fault.
“We’ve tried everything, we’ve discussed it, you know, I’m the skipper and I get caught at short cover, on 30 or 40, so I’m part of the problem and I put that down to myself,” he said.
“I had to make the most of it and didn’t, and that’s what we’ve done this year.
“We haven’t had anyone make hundreds or anything like that…and that’s been our achilles heel.”
While bitterly disappointed with the outcome, Prosser was full of praise for this season’s premiership winners.
“They deserve every bit of what they’re experiencing right now, they’ve been the best team in it all year, not only today but all year,” he said.
“They won their semi pretty easily and won by 30-odd runs today, they deserve it, they’ve been the outstanding side and benchmark team all year.
“They’re well led, not just from Cal (O’Hare), but from Huss (Tom Hussey), even Russ (Lehman) today, he was outstanding.
“Russ was out there when the five-run penalty was awarded against us and he tried to tell the umpires they weren’t going to take it.
“Not only is he man of the match, but he’s such a fair cricketer, and that speaks volumes of him as a person and their club.”
And his own club, well he is extremely proud of their efforts.
“I’m shattered about today, but the resilience we’ve shown, since Christmas really, losing blokes, we’re just a very resilient group and I’m just proud to lead these boys,” Prosser said.
“There’s a no-fuss attitude and they just go about their business.
“I’ve signed on again for next year, same role, no different. I’m loving my time at Cardy and when a club gives you no reason to leave, why would you, I’m really enjoying it.”
Prosser signed off on season 2021/22 with a few thank yous.
“The whole club really, starting from Luke Turner as president, Alex Nooy, who does everything, and then the coaching group of Bradey Welsh and Nathan Volpe, they just help with everything and make it run smooth.
“And the two’s captain Matty Celima, he helped us with a lot this year and played a big part as well.”
“It’s such a great group of people and I’m proud to be part of it.”
