West Newport is seething after a callous and calculated act ruined its last chance of Williamstown and District Cricket Association A turf premiership glory.
Wests went into the fourth and last day as odds-on favourite to make it three flags in five years before the club moves to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association next summer.
Wests needed just one wicket to win, while their opponents Grand United had a mountain to climb, requiring 92 runs with two tail-enders at the crease.
It seemed a mere formality that Wests would go on to claim the flag, but when the teams arrived at Greenwich Reserve on Sunday they found the covers slashed, divots marked in the pitch and a roller broken, forcing the umpires to cancel play.
Because it was the biggest game on the WDCA calender a number of league officials were in attendance. They initially decided to move the game to Fearon Reserve in Williamstown, but not all parties agreed.
“We said, ‘yep, no worries, we’ll go down there’,” Wests secretary Mick Jones said. “But Grand United said ‘nope, if you do that, we’re going to go to another comp.
“All of a sudden they [officials] reconvened and they said there will be no A turf premiers this season.”
The decision hit Wests hard, even bringing one of its senior-ranking players to tears.
“We’re going to buy the boys medallions and a flag and everything,” Jones said.
“As far as we see it, we’re the premiers and everyone knows that. Even some of the boys from Grand United, they were absolutely shattered and said it’s a disgrace.
West Newport posted a massive 262 courtesy of wicketkeeper-batsman Aaron Floyd (61) and captain Trent Jones (60).
The Gorillas were in dire straits in reply at 9-171 after a five-wicket haul to big-game specialist Corey Irving.
“They had the numbers 10 and 11 in, so it was going to be pretty doubtful to get the 90 runs, but you never know,” Jones said.
Other premiers were: West Newport (B turf), Caroline Springs (C composite), Melton Centrals (A-grade matting), Grand United (B-grade matting and one-day competition) and Deer Park Ardeer (C-grade matting).
