KEALBA-GREEN Gully will no longer be haunted by the events of 12 months ago.
The Cougars spent 365 nights waking up in cold sweats over their heartbreaking loss in last year’s seemingly unlosable North West Metropolitan Cricket Association Luscombe Shield semi-final.
This summer was all about vanquishing the ghosts of last season and the ‘redeem team’ did it with a stirring three-wicket victory over Pascoe Vale Central in the grand final at Lakeside Drive Reserve.
Cougars playing assistant coach David Morris was thrilled to be part of a “historic” occasion.
“A huge day for the club,” he said.
“It’s the first time we’ve won the Luscombe Shield.
“Everyone just swamped the ground after the winning runs. It was all a blur really.”
For Morris, it is a celebration he will cherish for a lifetime.
The top-order batsman returned to the Cougars from playing a higher level three years ago just for the opportunity to play alongside long-time friends.
To cap his return with a premiership is storybook stuff.
“This is a huge moment for me,” he said.
“To do it alongside my mates is why I came back to the club. It’s really good to be part of history.”
Centrals’ effectiveness with the bat on day one was stymied by some outstanding bowling and fielding from the Cougars.
The underdogs were all out for 123 in 70.2 overs after miserly bowling displays from medium pacer Tristan Krizanic (5-40 off 25 overs) and spinner Danny Viani (4-17 off 18).
Krizanic’s bowling effort was enough to earn him man of the match honours.
“He was unbelievable,” Morris said. “He’s six-foot-five [195.5cm], the ball comes from a tall height and he’s difficult to play.
“He is our partnership breaker.”
The Cougars had an eerily similar run chase to last season where they crashed and burned to the same opponent.
But there was no such failure this time around as they stumbled on the holy grail seven down with nightwatchman Divesh Kumar (24) and second drop Evan Long (32 not out) producing outstanding knocks in pressure-cooker situations.
The champion team is: Andrew Lambropoulos (captain), Daniel Hewitt, Evan Long, Dave Rogowski, Tristan Krizanic, Balraj Randhawa, Divesh Kumar, Matthew Nadzielski, Danny Viani, David Morris and Jarrod Catania.
Luscombe Shield
Grand final: Kealba-Green Gully 7-127 (Long 32no Carbis 2-8 Biggs 2-24) d Pascoe Vale Central 123 (Sayers 55 Biggs 28 Krizanic 5-40 Viani 4-17).
