SWAN Hill Cricket Club claimed its first two-day premiership in more than 20 years when it defeated St Mary’s Tyntynder at the showgrounds at the weekend.
It was a nervous Swans outfit that contemplated the task at hand on Saturday night, however, after Daniel Cruickshank’s side set a modest first innings total of 156.
Ryan Shepherd (28), Tom Lister (21), Cruickshank (23), Kane Griffiths (29) and Brad Cockfield (29) had all managed starts at various points right down the order, but with a St Mary’s attack inspired by young gun Corey Daniels — who finished with five wickets — the Swans were prevented from posting a more imposing target.
It meant the more experienced side’s attack would need to perform without much margin for error and that’s exactly what it did yesterday.
Led by Jonny Hirst who snagged 6/30 off 20 or so overs of tight, consistent bowling, the Swans dismissed St Mary’s for 130 to claim the day’s big prize.
Hirst and his fellow bowlers were aided by a strong performance in the field from their teammates, the highlight of which was a classic one-handed catch at point to Stuart Dixon that saw Hirst claim the fifth of his six wickets.
It was the ninth dismissal of the innings and when Cruickshank’s hands were safe behind the wickets just overs later, Hirst had his sixth and the flag was Swan Hill’s.
Cruickshank told The Guardian it was a thrill to claim the club’s first Swan Hill District Cricket Association two-day premiership since 1988/89, particularly on the back of the Swans’ Kookaburra Cup success earlier this season.
We’ll probably lose the two Poms, Ryan Shepherd and Stuey Dixon. They’re going back home in a couple of weeks for their season over there.
But he admitted to some mid-match nerves at stumps on Saturday, acknowledging he had not thought 156 was quite enough.
“Absolutely not — I was pretty worried,” he said.
“But I also knew they hadn’t made over 150 [consistently this season] either.”
Cruickshank added that St Mary’s effort in getting to the grand final in 2013/14 was noteworthy in itself, particularly given the young average age of the team.
He said the fact their side included a couple of 14-year-olds was “remarkable”.
While Swan Hill had an older side, it remained fairly young Cruickshank said.
“Jonny Hirst is our oldest at 28,” the 25-year-old Cruickshank said.
Cruickshank said the Swans expected largely to keep their premiership team together, although he forecast a couple of exits for next season.
“We’ll probably lose the two Poms, Ryan Shepherd and Stuey Dixon. They’re going back home in a couple of weeks for their season over there,” he said.
“We’ve enjoyed having them and they’ve enjoyed their stay.”
Nyah District defeated Swan Hill in both B and C grade deciders, while Northern Razorbacks claimed both junior titles.
