WEST Warrnambool captain-coach Andrew Robb has attributed the club’s Twenty20 Cup victory to an almost perfect fielding performance yesterday.
The Panthers pocketed the $15,000 winner’s cheque after they comfortably defeated Irrewarra in the final at Allansford yesterday afternoon.
It came after West toppled Tyrendarra in the semi-final earlier in the day, chasing down the Portland and district side’s 127. Robb found it difficult to fault his team.
“We had two dropped catches in two balls … and they were the only blemishes in 40 overs of fielding,” he said of yesterday’s matches.
“The whole tournament we bowled and fielded really well and we batted in partnerships.”
After West opener Michael Threlfall was dismissed for a duck, Robb (43no) and Leigh Johnson (46no) produced the matchwinning partnership in yesterday’s final.
The Panthers were in pursuit of Irrewarra’s 9-95, which turned out to be a respectable score considering the Colac and District side crumbled at the crease early.
The visitors sunk to 4-8 before number six Ian Scoble produced a salvaging 34 to boost the total of his side, which was troubled by teenage Panthers paceman and eventual man-of-the-match Will Mills (3-20 off four overs).
“We got off to a really good start with the ball,” Robb said.
“The bowlers did a great job.”
The required run rate of about five runs per over ensured the skipper and Johnson were able to settle into their partnership without taking too many risks.
Back-to-back fours from Robb took his side to 1-34 after six overs before Johnson was also able to find the boundary a couple of times to help the Panthers to a promising 1-59 at the half-way point of their innings.
A towering six from the captain and a single from Johnson which accidentally hit umpire Tony Robinson and sent him to his knees proved entertaining for the crowd, who watched West triumph in the 17th over, finishing 1-96.
Robb said the prizemoney was a huge benefit for the club, whether it be used to upgrade facilities or help develop juniors.
“For us, $15,000 worth of fund-raising would take possibly three or four years,” he said.
“But now we’re getting that in one hit.
“To all the sponsors, from Sungold all the way down … to put on an event like this, the fundamental is that cricket is the winner because (the sponsors are) putting back into the clubs.”
Irrewarra captain Tim Foley said West Warrnambool was too strong for his side yesterday.
“We had a good win in the semi (against Grampians) but unfortunately we couldn’t repeat it in the final,” he said.
The skipper was full of praise for the tournament and the prizemoney it offered to country clubs, with Irrewarra picking up $5000 for its runner-up finish.
Meanwhile, Woodford claimed the inaugural Warrnambool and District Cricket Association Twenty20 under 17 competition after defeating Allansford in the final yesterday.
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