Brian Mollet
Nick Shand started his own media empire from scratch but what he really wanted was to be a sporting champ.
Nineteen years after his death the grass-stained gladiators of the social cricket comp that bears his name spend each winter buffing their boxes, polishing their pads and waving the willow in pursuit of that ineffable moment of sporting glory.
This year’s grand final matched the thoroghly workshopped socialites of Byron, the Full-Tossers, veterans of countless rebirthings; against the teak-hard clannish hill-folk of Left Bank, honed by generations of vicious infighting for the control of gullies where only yowies go.
Lomath Oval shone like a jewel in a sanitation worker’s ear, as Ash of Byron won the toss and asked the Bankers to bat.
Openers Scruff and Russell started well enough for the Bankers but both fell victim to undervaluing the assets of Wayno (2/16). Fast Eddie’s whippy leggies and the sure hands of Adam saw the Tossers throbbing along nicely early. Bruce’s controversial dismissal had known freewheeler Sean (37no) at the crease earlier than anyone would have expected, forced into a rare state of responsibility he teamed up with youngster Hamish (27) and the pair began to grind out a total for the beleaguered Bankers.
For their part the Tossers just couldn’t keep their hands off the ball and wickets to the J-team (Jamie, Jabez, Jean and Janny) saw the innings closed for an abbreviated 145 and celebrity commentator Davo Duckworth searching for superlatives.
The Tossers were only a few firm strokes away from a memorable climax to the season. Byron openers Dutchy and Zac showed plenty of intent early but scalps to Sean and Scruff and a diving catch from Rob kept the Bankers solvent. Jamie (31no) and Adam (30no) then slapped up a partnership of 70 runs either side of drinks as the spirited Tossers showed they were there to make a fist of proceedings. Their retirements ushered Eddie (31no) to the crease who batted the blistering Byronites to victory in emphatic style with nine full overs to spare.
With due ceremony the fabled trophy was unearthed and libations and tributes were shared to mark the season’s many highlights.
Then it was down to the essential business of wildly exaggerating cricketing deeds and abilities, and anticipating the 20th season next year.
