RUSSELLS Creek captain Nathan Divall credited his side’s bowling attack for its Forever Young Shield win against Woodford yesterday.
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Defending 194, the Creekers restricted the Eels to 5-118 in reply off their 45 overs at Jetty Flat.
Divall, who won the inaugural Sean Doran Memorial Medal for his 64 and 2-19, said Woodford struggled to score.
“The bowlers did a great job as a team, bowled in partnerships and put the pressure on from the word go and managed to keep that pressure on which was great,” he said.
“I was always confident with 190 but you’re never assured.
“It was a great wicket to bat on and the ground was in great condition so you’re never entirely sure but I’d rather say yes to start with 190 than not.
“As a group we bowled really well. Everyone did their little bit and everyone chipped in.
“I don’t think anyone stood out. It was just a good team effort, both bowling and in the field.
“We held our catches and really put the pressure on them.”
Woodford pair John Houston (37 not out) and Hamish Withers (31) combined for a 64-run fifth-wicket stand but it was slow going for the Eels.
Along with Divall’s half century, Jayaweera Bandara chimed in with 43 and Billy Quinlivan hit 34 for Russells Creek in its innings.
“It was nice to get a few, make a contribution,” Divall said.
“We have been working on partnerships all season and again we were able to put four or five 30, 40, 50-run partnerships together which makes 190 a lot more achievable.”
Withers, who played a solid all-round game, took 3-28 for Woodford.
The Sean Doran Memorial Medal is awarded to the best player in the one-day division one match.
The medal was part of the second Forever Young Shield match between the Creekers and the Eels.
Former Emmanuel College students Sean Doran, Olivia and Caroline Wright, Rebecca McKenzie and Tim Cooper and Terang truck driver Steve Elford died when a car and a truck collided on November 12 last year.
Doran played his junior cricket at Russells Creek but had crossed to Woodford for the 2011-12 season.
Divall said it was nice to win a medal struck in Sean’s honour.
“The Doran family has been a big part of our family for a long time,” he said.
Divall said he hoped the Forever Young Shield would be a permanent fixture on the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association calendar.
“I think it should. I think the concept is great and I think it reinforces the little things in life are sometimes more important,” he said.
A healthy crowd, which ebbed and flowed throughout the game, watched the Forever Young match.
“It is a great place to watch cricket,” he said.
“You get a huge number of people down here and because it is slightly smaller and you are closer to the action, you really feel you are a part of it.